Application of porous medium for efficiency improvement of a concentrated solar air heating system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasartkaew, Boonrit

2018-01-01

The objective of this study is to evaluate the thermal efficiency of a concentrated solar collector for a high temperature air heating system. The proposed system consists of a 25-m2 focused multi-flat-mirror solar heliostat equipped with a porous medium solar collector/receiver which was installed on the top of a 3-m tower, called ‘tower receiver’. To know how the system efficiency cloud be improved by using porous medium, the proposed system with and without porous medium were tested and the comparative study was performed. The experimental results reveal that, for the proposed system, application of porous medium is promising, the efficiency can be increased about 2 times compared to the conventional one. In addition, due to the porous medium used in this study was the waste material with very low cost. It can be summarized that the substantial efficiency improvement with very low investment cost of the proposed system seem to be a vital measures for addressing the energy issues.

75 FR 61706 - Request for Public Comments Regarding Small and Medium Enterprises' Understanding of and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-06

... Public Comments Regarding Small and Medium Enterprises' Understanding of and Compliance With the Export Administration Regulations AGENCY: Bureau of Industry and Security, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Inquiry. SUMMARY... the public regarding small and medium enterprises' (SMEs) understanding of and compliance with export...

75 FR 68312 - Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for New Medium- and Heavy...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-05

... (DEIS) for New Medium- and Heavy-Duty Fuel Efficiency Improvement Program AGENCY: National Highway... commercial medium- and heavy-duty on-highway vehicles and work trucks (``HD vehicles''), which NHTSA recently... to Create First-Ever National Efficiency and Emissions Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks...

An experimental strategy validated to design cost-effective culture media based on response surface methodology.

PubMed

Navarrete-Bolaños, J L; Téllez-Martínez, M G; Miranda-López, R; Jiménez-Islas, H

2017-07-03

For any fermentation process, the production cost depends on several factors, such as the genetics of the microorganism, the process condition, and the culture medium composition. In this work, a guideline for the design of cost-efficient culture media using a sequential approach based on response surface methodology is described. The procedure was applied to analyze and optimize a culture medium of registered trademark and a base culture medium obtained as a result of the screening analysis from different culture media used to grow the same strain according to the literature. During the experiments, the procedure quantitatively identified an appropriate array of micronutrients to obtain a significant yield and find a minimum number of culture medium ingredients without limiting the process efficiency. The resultant culture medium showed an efficiency that compares favorably with the registered trademark medium at a 95% lower cost as well as reduced the number of ingredients in the base culture medium by 60% without limiting the process efficiency. These results demonstrated that, aside from satisfying the qualitative requirements, an optimum quantity of each constituent is needed to obtain a cost-effective culture medium. Study process variables for optimized culture medium and scaling-up production for the optimal values are desirable.

The Conference Proceedings of the 1999 Air Transport Research Group (ATRG) of the WCTR Society. Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, Anming (Editor); Bowen, Brent D. (Editor)

1999-01-01

The UNO (University of Nebraska at Omaha) Aviation Institute Monograph Series began in 1994 as a key component of the education outreach and information transfer missions of the Aviation Institute and the NASA Nebraska Space Grant & EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) Programs. The series is an outlet for aviation materials to be indexed and disseminated through an efficient medium. Publications are welcome in all aspects of aviation. Publication formats may include, but are not limited to, conference proceedings, bibliographies, research reports, manuals, technical reports, and other documents that should be archived and indexed for future reference by the aviation and world wide communities.

Improved efficiency of plant regeneration from protoplasts of eggplant Solanum melongena L.

PubMed

Guri, A; Izhar, S

1984-12-01

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) mesophyll protoplasts were obtained from in vitro growing plants of line 410 and cv. 'Classic'. Relatively high (15%) plating efficiency was achieved using petri dishes with alternate quadrants containing reservoir medium (R medium + 1% activated charcoal) and culture medium. Shoot regeneration occurred within 6 weeks following initiation of protoplast culture.

Sticks AND Carrots: Encouraging Open Science at its source.

PubMed

Leonelli, Sabina; Spichtinger, Daniel; Prainsack, Barbara

2015-06-30

The Open Science (OS) movement has been seen as an important facilitator for public participation in science. This has been underpinned by the assumption that widespread and free access to research outputs leads to (i) better and more efficient science, (ii) economic growth, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises wishing to capitalise on research findings and (iii) increased transparency of knowledge production and its outcomes. The latter in particular could function as a catalyst for public participation and engagement. Whether OS is likely to help realise these benefits, however, will depend on the emergence of systemic incentives for scientists to utilise OS in a meaningful manner. While some areas, the environmental sciences have a long tradition of open ethos, citizen inclusion and global collaborations, such activities need to be more systematically supported and promoted by funders and learned societies in order to improve scientific research and public participation.

Industrial Assessment Center Helps Boost Efficiency for Small and Medium Manufacturers

ScienceCinema

Johnson, Mark; Friedman, David

2018-06-12

The Industrial Assessment Center program helps small and medium manufacturers boost efficiency and save energy. It pairs companies with universities as students perform energy assessments and provide recommendations to improve their facilities.

Industrial Assessment Center Helps Boost Efficiency for Small and Medium Manufacturers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Johnson, Mark; Friedman, David

The Industrial Assessment Center program helps small and medium manufacturers boost efficiency and save energy. It pairs companies with universities as students perform energy assessments and provide recommendations to improve their facilities.

Somatic embryogenesis for efficient micropropagation of guava (Psidium guajava L.).

PubMed

Akhtar, Nasim

2013-01-01

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is well known for edible fruit, environment friendly pharmaceutical and commercial products for both national and international market. The conventional propagation and in vitro organogenesis do not meet the demand for the good quality planting materials. Somatic embryogenesis for efficient micropropagation of guava (P. guajava L.) has been developed to fill up the gap. Somatic embryogenesis and plantlets regeneration are achieved from 10-week post-anthesis zygotic embryo explants by 8-day inductive treatment with different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) on MS agar medium containing 5% sucrose. Subsequent development and maturation of somatic embryos occur after 8 days on MS basal medium supplemented with 5% sucrose without plant growth regulator. The process of somatic embryogenesis shows the highest relative efficiency in 8-day treatment of zygotic embryo explants with 1.0 mg L(-1) 2,4-D. High efficiency germination of somatic embryos and plantlet regeneration takes place on half strength semisolid MS medium amended with 3% sucrose within 2 weeks of subculture. Somatic plantlets are grown for additional 2 weeks by subculturing in MS liquid growth medium containing 3% sucrose. Well-grown plantlets from liquid medium have survived very well following 2-4 week hardening process. The protocol of somatic embryogenesis is optimized for high efficiency micropropagation of guava species.

The effect of environmental pH on polymeric transfection efficiency.

PubMed

Kang, Han Chang; Samsonova, Olga; Kang, Sun-Woong; Bae, You Han

2012-02-01

Although polymers, polyplexes, and cells are exposed to various extracellular and intracellular pH environments during polyplex preparation and polymeric transfection, the impact of environmental pH on polymeric transfection has not yet been investigated. This study aims to understand the influence of environmental pH on polymeric transfection by modulating the pH of the transfection medium or the culture medium. Changes in the extracellular pH affected polymeric transfection by way of complex factors such as pH-induced changes in polymer characteristics (e.g., proton buffering capacity and ionization), polyplex characteristics (e.g., size, surface charge, and decomplexation), and cellular characteristics (e.g., cellular uptake, cell cycle phases, and intracellular pH environment). Notably, acidic medium delayed endocytosis, endosomal acidification, cytosolic release, and decomplexation of polyplexes, thereby negatively affecting gene expression. However, acidic medium inhibited mitosis and reduced dilution of gene expression, resulting in increased transfection efficiency. Compared to pH 7.4 medium, acidic transfection medium reduced gene expression 1.6-7.7-fold whereas acidic culture medium enhanced transfection efficiency 2.1-2.6-fold. Polymeric transfection was affected more by the culture medium than by the transfection medium. Understanding the effects of extracellular pH during polymeric transfection may stimulate new strategies for determining effective and safe polymeric gene carriers. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phase 2 fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty engines and vehicles : draft EIS.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-06-01

This Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) analyzes the environmental impacts of fuel : efficiency standards and reasonable alternative standards for model years 2018 and beyond for medium- : and heavy- duty engines and vehicles that NHTSA...

The No-Destination Ship of Priority-Setting in Healthcare: A Call for More Democracy.

PubMed

Seixas, Brayan V

2017-10-11

In dealing with scarcity of resources within healthcare systems, decision-makers inevitably have to make choices about which services to fund. Setting priorities represents a challenging task that requires systematic, explicit and transparent methodologies with focus on economic efficiency. In addition, the engagement of the general public in the process of decision-making has been regarded as one of the most important aspects of the management of publicly-funded health systems in liberal democracies. In the current essay, we aim to discuss the problematics of public engagement in the process of resource allocation and priority-setting within the context of publiclyfunded health systems. Our central argument is that although there may be a conflict between democratic mechanisms of citizen participation and economic efficiency, in the extra-welfarist sense, expected for/from the system, the solution for this tension does not seem to rely on more or novel authoritative technocratic approaches, but rather on the deepening and betterment of democratic participation. © 2018 The Author(s); Published by Kerman University of Medical Sciences. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Final Rule for Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles - Phase 2

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Rule to finalize standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles that would improve fuel efficiency and cut carbon pollution to reduce the impacts of climate change, while bolstering energy security and spurring manufacturing innovation.

A comparison of the original Rappaport medium (R medium) and the Rappaport-Vassiliadis medium (RV medium) in the isolation of salmonellae from meat products.

PubMed Central

Vassiliadis, P.; Kalapothaki, V.; Mavrommati, C.; Trichopoulos, D.

1984-01-01

The Rappaport-Vassiliadis enrichment medium (RV medium) in 10 ml quantities (RV/43 degrees C, 10 ml) inoculated with 0.1 ml of pre-enrichment medium (P medium) was found more efficient in the isolation of salmonellae from 409 pre-enriched samples (mainly meat products), than the original Rappaport medium incubated at 43 degrees C (R/43 degrees C) and the RV medium in 5 ml quantities (RV/43 degrees C, 5 ml) inoculated with 0.01 ml of P medium (P less than 0.001, in both instances). Therefore, the inoculum from pre-enriched foods should not be less than 0.1 ml in 10 ml of RV medium. The RV/43 degrees, 10 ml was also better (P less than 0.01) in detecting samples containing salmonellas than the original Rappaport medium incubated at 37 degrees C (R/37 degrees C, 10 ml) and the modification R25 of R medium incubated at 37 degrees C. The R25 modification was used in 10 ml quantities (R25/37 degrees C, 10 ml) inoculated with 0.1 ml of P medium and in 5 ml quantities (R25/37 degrees, 5 ml) inoculated with 0.01 ml of P medium. The last two R25 procedures were of the same efficiency in isolating salmonellas from meat products. PMID:6747286

Efficient diode-end-pumped actively Q-switched Nd:YAG/SrWO4/KTP yellow laser.

PubMed

Cong, Zhenhua; Zhang, Xingyu; Wang, Qingpu; Liu, Zhaojun; Li, Shutao; Chen, Xiaohan; Zhang, Xiaolei; Fan, Shuzhen; Zhang, Huaijin; Tao, Xutang

2009-09-01

An efficient intracavity frequency-doubled Raman laser was obtained by using an SrWO(4) Raman medium, an Nd:YAG ceramic gain medium, and a KTP frequency-doubling medium. Three laser cavities, including a two-mirror cavity, a three-mirror coupled cavity, and a folded cavity, were investigated. With the coupled cavity, a 2.93 W, 590 nm laser was obtained at an incident pump power of 16.2 W and a pulse repetition frequency of 20 kHz; the corresponding conversion efficiency was 18.1%. The highest conversion efficiency of 19.2% was obtained at an incident pump power of 14.1 W and a pulse repetition frequency of 15 kHz. The obtained maximum output power and conversion efficiency were much higher than the results previously obtained with intracavity frequency-doubled solid-state Raman lasers.

Boric acid-enhanced embedding medium for cryomicrotomy.

PubMed

Lim, Jin Ik; Park, Hun-Kuk

2012-05-01

A polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based resin is commonly used as a cryoembedding medium for the histological analysis of frozen tissue sections. However, it is not easy to obtain sufficient numbers of satisfactory reproducible sections owing to the differences between the mechanical properties of the medium and embedded tissue and the low cohesive force of the medium. We describe a modified PVA-based cryoembedding medium, composed of PVA (10wt% and 15wt%) with the addition of boric acid (from 0 to 5wt%), that can improve the sectioning properties and efficiency of frozen tissue for histological analysis. The amount of load under the same compressive displacement as well as cohesive force increased with increasing boric acid and PVA contents. 15wt% PVA and 3wt% boric acid was determined as an optimal composition for cryoembedding material based on the sectioning efficiency measured by the numbers of unimpaired sectioned slices and the amount of load under the same compressive displacement test. On the basis of the results of routine hematoxylin and eosin staining of cryosections of tissue embedded in a medium with 3wt% boric acid and PVA, it was concluded that the modified PVA cryoembedding medium can improve the efficiency of cryosectioning for subsequent histological or histochemical analysis of various tissues. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Petitions for Reconsideration of Phase 2 GHG Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicles

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA has received petitions for reconsideration or reconsideration of the October 25, 2016 final rulemaking entitled Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles—Phase 2 Final Rule (81 FR 73,478)

76 FR 55834 - Efficiency and Renewables Advisory Committee, Appliance Standards Subcommittee, Negotiated...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-09

... Subcommittee/Working Group for Liquid-Immersed and Medium-Voltage Dry Type Transformers AGENCY: Department of... Medium-Voltage Dry Type Transformers (hereafter ``MV Group''). The MV Group is a working group within the... energy efficiency of distribution transformers, as authorized by the Energy Policy Conservation Act (EPCA...

The Determinants of the Technical Efficiency of Acute Inpatient Care in Canada.

PubMed

Wang, Li; Grignon, Michel; Perry, Sheril; Chen, Xi-Kuan; Ytsma, Alison; Allin, Sara; Gapanenko, Katerina

2018-04-17

To evaluate the technical efficiency of acute inpatient care at the pan-Canadian level and to explore the factors associated with inefficiency-why hospitals are not on their production frontier. Canadian Management Information System (MIS) database (CMDB) and Discharge Abstract Database (DAD) for the fiscal year of 2012-2013. We use a nonparametric approach (data envelopment analysis) applied to three peer groups (teaching, large, and medium hospitals, focusing on their acute inpatient care only). The double bootstrap procedure (Simar and Wilson 2007) is adopted in the regression. Information on inpatient episodes of care (number and quality of outcomes) was extracted from the DAD. The cost of the inpatient care was extracted from the CMDB. On average, acute hospitals in Canada are operating at about 75 percent efficiency, and this could thus potentially increase their level of outcomes (quantity and quality) by addressing inefficiencies. In some cases, such as for teaching hospitals, the factors significantly correlated with efficiency scores were not related to management but to the social composition of the caseload. In contrast, for large and medium nonteaching hospitals, efficiency related more to the ability to discharge patients to postacute care facilities. The efficiency of medium hospitals is also positively related to treating more clinically noncomplex patients. The main drivers of efficiency of acute inpatient care vary by hospital peer groups. Thus, the results provide different policy and managerial implications for teaching, large, and medium hospitals to achieve efficiency gains. © Health Research and Educational Trust.

[Comparison of the efficiency of 2 culture media in the recovery of heterotrophic bacteria damaged with chlorine].

PubMed

Guerrero, J J

1987-01-01

In this study, culture mediums R2A and m-HPC were compared with respect to their efficiency in the recuperation of injured heterotrophic bacteria present in water, which previously was treated with chlorine. The results of total counts obtained by membrane filtration, show that medium R2A was better than m-HPC. These two culture mediums are indicated by the 16th edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste-water. The results obtained may be due to the low concentration of organic matter, or to the presence of yeast extract in the R2A medium.

Review and analysis of potential safety impacts of and regulatory barriers to fuel efficiency technologies and alternative fuels in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-06-01

This report summarizes a safety analysis of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MD/HDVs) equipped with fuel efficiency (FE) technologies and/or using alternative fuels (natural gas-CNG and LNG, propane, biodiesel and power train electrification). The st...

High efficiency trucks : new revenues, new jobs, and improved fuel economy in the medium and heavy truck fleet.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-05-01

The move to high efficiency trucks can lead to new revenues and jobs for companies involved in the development and marketing of the technologies needed to make this transition. But in order for the medium and heavy truck industry to make this transit...

78 FR 6027 - Internet Publication of Administrative Seizure and Forfeiture Notices

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-29

... additional notice in a print medium for at least three successive weeks. For example, CBP would have the... procedure's reliance solely on local print publications or customhouse postings. Under this final rule... publish notice in a print medium when CBP determines that additional outreach would be appropriate. In...

Microprint as a medium for primary publication

USGS Publications Warehouse

Herman, C.M.; Luhn, H.P.

1964-01-01

Microprint has been demonstrated an acceptable medium for publication in an experiment conducted by the Wildlife Disease Association. With author composition costs slightly over seven cents per 3x5 inch card, up to 47 pages. Need is recognized for development of standards and improvement of accessory retrieval apparatus.

On the retrieval efficiency of light storage in an EIT medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chough, Young-Tak

2016-08-01

We investigate the retrieval efficiency of light slowed and/or stored in a medium with electromagnetically-induced transparency (an EIT medium) by numerical simulations based on first principles. Starting from the master equation formulation, we derive the full dynamics of the system and then show how the approximations are applied to reduce the number of dynamical equations. While operating the system as an optical "retarder," a "reflector," and a "beam-splitter," we find that the total retrieval efficiency in the case of the "beam-splitter" operation is lower than that in either of the other two operations. Nevertheless, we find that (1) when an appropriate value of detuning is applied between the two counter-propagating " read"-fields, the retrieval efficiency in the latter case can be significantly improved, (2) storing the signal in the form of the atomic spin wave is more advantageous than storing it in the form of a stationary light pulse (SLP), and (3) the retrieval efficiency can be augmented by increasing the strengths of the " read"-fields.

Modeling of layered anisotropic composite material based on effective medium theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bao, Yang; Song, Jiming

2018-04-01

In this paper, we present an efficient method to simulate multilayered anisotropic composite material with effective medium theory. Effective permittivity, permeability and orientation angle for a layered anisotropic composite medium are extracted with this equivalent model. We also derive analytical expressions for effective parameters and orientation angle with low frequency (LF) limit, which will be shown in detail. Numerical results are shown in comparing extracted effective parameters and orientation angle with analytical results from low frequency limit. Good agreements are achieved to demonstrate the accuracy of our efficient model.

Language Policy-Making in Multilingual Education: Mass Media and the Framing of Medium of Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tollefson, James W.

2015-01-01

In some settings, medium of instruction (MOI) policies in multilingual education break out into public debates in mass media involving politicians, business leaders, government officials, parents, and school children. These public discussions of MOI often index struggles over the distribution of political power and economic resources, and issues…

Public views of different sources of health advice: pharmacists, social media and mobile health applications.

PubMed

Crilly, Philip; Jair, Sophia; Mahmood, Zahra; Moin Khan, Armineh; Munir, Aneesah; Osei-Bediako, Irene; Samir, Mustafa; Kayyali, Reem

2018-05-06

Investigating public perceptions of community pharmacists (CP) in public health and their use of social media (SM) and mobile health applications (MH apps) in that regard. Two surveys were created. One sought public perceptions of SM and the other of MH apps for health advice. Both included a section on perceptions of the role of CPs in public health. A convenience sampling strategy, based on proximity, was used.The study population was the public (n = 8 500 000) living in Greater London. The general public were recruited face-to-face in public spaces. A minimum sample (95% confidence interval/5% margin of error) of 385 was needed. Ethical approval was obtained from the university ethics committee. Responses were analysed in SPSS. About 820/1800 (45.6%) completed one/both surveys. Respondents seek health advice primarily from GPs, followed by digital mediums and then CPs. Under 35s use digital mediums more frequently (P = 0.039). Those who had used SM (41.7%) or MH apps (61.8%) for health information did not confirm its accuracy with a healthcare professional (HCP). Of those that did (MH apps = 39.2%; SM = 58.3%), the HCP disagreed with the information on MH apps and SM on 19.6% and 36.7% of occasions, respectively. Nevertheless, 64.5% stated that if a SM page was maintained by an HCP they would use it. The public are using digital mediums for health advice instead of speaking to an HCP. If CPs want to have an impact on public health they must start imbedding digital mediums into their services. © 2018 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Experimental Study on Ultrafine Particle Removal Performance of Portable Air Cleaners with Different Filters in an Office Room

PubMed Central

Ma, Huan; Shen, Henggen; Shui, Tiantian; Li, Qing; Zhou, Liuke

2016-01-01

Size- and time-dependent aerodynamic behaviors of indoor particles, including PM1.0, were evaluated in a school office in order to test the performance of air-cleaning devices using different filters. In-situ real-time measurements were taken using an optical particle counter. The filtration characteristics of filter media, including single-pass efficiency, volume and effectiveness, were evaluated and analyzed. The electret filter (EE) medium shows better initial removal efficiency than the high efficiency (HE) medium in the 0.3–3.5 μm particle size range, while under the same face velocity, the filtration resistance of the HE medium is several times higher than that of the EE medium. During service life testing, the efficiency of the EE medium decreased to 60% with a total purifying air flow of 25 × 104 m3/m2. The resistance curve rose slightly before the efficiency reached the bottom, and then increased almost exponentially. The single-pass efficiency of portable air cleaner (PAC) with the pre-filter (PR) or the active carbon granule filter (CF) was relatively poor. While PAC with the pre-filter and the high efficiency filter (PR&HE) showed maximum single-pass efficiency for PM1.0 (88.6%), PAC with the HE was the most effective at removing PM1.0. The enhancement of PR with HE and electret filters augmented the single-pass efficiency, but lessened the airflow rate and effectiveness. Combined with PR, the decay constant of large-sized particles could be greater than for PACs without PR. Without regard to the lifetime, the electret filters performed better with respect to resource saving and purification improvement. A most penetrating particle size range (MPPS: 0.4–0.65 μm) exists in both HE and electret filters; the MPPS tends to become larger after HE and electret filters are combined with PR. These results serve to provide a better understanding of the indoor particle removal performance of PACs when combined with different kinds of filters in school office buildings. PMID:26742055

Power port contrast medium flushing and trapping: impact of temperature, an in vitro experimental study.

PubMed

Guiffant, Gérard; Durussel, Jean Jacques; Flaud, Patrice; Royon, Laurent; Marcy, Pierre Yves; Merckx, Jacques

2013-01-01

The use of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) certified as "high pressure resistant" or "power port" has begun to spread worldwide as a safe procedure for power contrast injection. Owing to the thermo-rheological properties of the contrast media, the primary aim of this work is to present an in vitro experimental impact study concerning the impact of the temperature level on flushing efficiency after contrast medium injection. Moreover, we report experimental data that confirms the role of needle bevel orientation. The secondary aim is to answer the following questions: Is there significant device contrast medium trapping after contrast medium injection? Is saline flushing efficient? And, finally, is it safe to inject contrast medium through an indwelled port catheter? The experimental results show that in addition to hydrodynamics, temperature is a key parameter for the efficiency of device flushing after contrast medium injection. It appears that this is the case when the cavity is incompletely rinsed after three calibrated flushing volumes of 10 mL saline solution, even by using the Huber needle bevel opposite to the port exit. This leads to a potentially important trapped volume of contrast medium in the port, and consequently to the possibility of subsequent salt precipitates and long term trisubstituted benzene nuclei delivery that might impair the solute properties, which may be further injected via the power port later on. We thus suggest, in TIVADS patients, the use of a temporary supplementary intravenous line rather than the port to perform contrast medium injections in daily radiology routine practice.

Power port contrast medium flushing and trapping: impact of temperature, an in vitro experimental study

PubMed Central

Guiffant, Gérard; Durussel, Jean Jacques; Flaud, Patrice; Royon, Laurent; Marcy, Pierre Yves; Merckx, Jacques

2013-01-01

Purpose The use of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) certified as “high pressure resistant” or “power port” has begun to spread worldwide as a safe procedure for power contrast injection. Owing to the thermo-rheological properties of the contrast media, the primary aim of this work is to present an in vitro experimental impact study concerning the impact of the temperature level on flushing efficiency after contrast medium injection. Moreover, we report experimental data that confirms the role of needle bevel orientation. The secondary aim is to answer the following questions: Is there significant device contrast medium trapping after contrast medium injection? Is saline flushing efficient? And, finally, is it safe to inject contrast medium through an indwelled port catheter? Results The experimental results show that in addition to hydrodynamics, temperature is a key parameter for the efficiency of device flushing after contrast medium injection. It appears that this is the case when the cavity is incompletely rinsed after three calibrated flushing volumes of 10 mL saline solution, even by using the Huber needle bevel opposite to the port exit. This leads to a potentially important trapped volume of contrast medium in the port, and consequently to the possibility of subsequent salt precipitates and long term trisubstituted benzene nuclei delivery that might impair the solute properties, which may be further injected via the power port later on. Conclusion We thus suggest, in TIVADS patients, the use of a temporary supplementary intravenous line rather than the port to perform contrast medium injections in daily radiology routine practice. PMID:24043959

Ground Vehicle Power and Mobility (GVPM) Powertrain Overview

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-08-11

efficient on-board electrical power generation • Improved Fuel Efficiency • Thermoelectric Waste Heat Recovery • Advanced Engine Cycle Demo...Thermal Management • Militarized Power train Control Module and strategies devices for military vehicle transmissions FY11 FY12 FY13...Transmission): - Medium Combat Application (20-40 tons) - Medium Tactical Application (15-30 tons) Thermoelectric Waste Heat Recovery Energy Analysis

Production of Mushroom Mycelium as a Protein and Fat Source in Submerged Culture in Medium of Vinasse

PubMed Central

Falanghe, H.

1962-01-01

Of ten mushroom cultures investigated, only Agaricus campestris, Boletus indecisus, and Tricholoma nudum were capable of growing in submerged culture in medium of vinasse with added salts. Higher fermentative efficiencies were found under these conditions than in medium containing molasses or waste sulfite liquor. A. campestris showed a better capacity to produce protein but, since B. indecisus is capable of developing greater mycelium weight, its fermentative efficiencies are comparable. Both microorganisms could be grown in medium of vinasse with greatly varied amounts, producing higher mycelial weight in media with greater vinasse. The capacity of B. indecisus and A. campestris to utilize the noncarbohydrate fraction in total solids, instead of the total carbohydrates when they are in smaller amount, was observed in medium containing vinasse. B. indecisus and A. campestris were easily separated by filtration from the medium, although T. nudum was difficult to separate by this procedure. In experiments with A. campestris, the adaptative capacity of the organism to vinasse was demonstrated. PMID:13962715

Is cyberbullying worse than traditional bullying? Examining the differential roles of medium, publicity, and anonymity for the perceived severity of bullying.

PubMed

Sticca, Fabio; Perren, Sonja

2013-05-01

Cyberbullying, a modern form of bullying performed using electronic forms of contact (e.g., SMS, MMS, Facebook, YouTube), has been considered as being worse than traditional bullying in its consequences for the victim. This difference was mainly attributed to some specific aspect that are believed to distinguish cyberbullying from traditional bullying: an increased potential for a large audience, an increased potential for anonymous bullying, lower levels of direct feedback, decreased time and space limits, and lower levels of supervision. The present studies investigated the relative importance of medium (traditional vs. cyber), publicity (public vs. private), and bully's anonymity (anonymous vs. not anonymous) for the perceived severity of hypothetical bullying scenarios among a sample of Swiss seventh- and eight-graders (study 1: 49% female, mean age = 13.7; study 2: 49% female, mean age = 14.2). Participants ranked a set of hypothetical bullying scenarios from the most severe one to the least severe one. The scenarios were experimentally manipulated based on the aspect of medium and publicity (study 1), and medium and anonymity (study 2). Results showed that public scenarios were perceived as worse than private ones, and that anonymous scenarios were perceived as worse than not anonymous ones. Cyber scenarios generally were perceived as worse than traditional ones, although effect sizes were found to be small. These results suggest that the role of medium is secondary to the role of publicity and anonymity when it comes to evaluating bullying severity. Therefore, cyberbullying is not a priori perceived as worse than traditional bullying. Implications of the results for cyberbullying prevention and intervention are discussed.

Cryopreservation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in Defined Medium

PubMed Central

Liu, Weiwei; Chen, Guokai

2014-01-01

This protocol describes a cryopreservation procedure using an enzyme-free dissociation method to harvest cells and preserve cells in albumin-free chemically defined E8 medium for human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). The dissociation by EDTA/PBS produces small cell aggregates that allow high survival efficiency in passaging and cryopreservation. The preservation in E8 medium eliminates serum or other animal products, and is suitable for the increasing demand for high quality hPSCs in translational research. In combination with the special feature of EDTA/PBS dissociation, this protocol allows efficient cryopreservation in more time-saving manner. PMID:25366897

Laboratory Investigations and Numerical Modeling of Loss Mechanisms in Sound Propagation in Sandy Sediments

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-30

poroelastic medium,” Submitted for publication in J. Acoust . Soc. Am., (2009). 9. B.T. Hefner, D.R. Jackson, and J. Calantoni, “The effects of...B.T. Hefner and D.R. Jackson, “Dispersion and attenuation due to scattering from heterogeneities the frame bulk modulus of a poroelastic medium,” Submitted for publication in J. Acoust . Soc. Am., (2009). ...DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Laboratory Investigations and Numerical Modeling of Loss

Improved regeneration and transformation protocols for three strawberry cultivars

PubMed Central

Zakaria, Hossam; Hussein, Gihan M; Abdel-Hadi, Abdel-Hadi A; Abdallah, Naglaa A

2014-01-01

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is an economically important soft fruit crop with polyploid genome which makes the breeding of new cultivars difficult. Simple and efficient method for transformation and regeneration is required for cultivars improvement in strawberry. In the present study, adventitious shoot regeneration has been investigated in three cultivated strawberry plants, i.e., Festival, Sweet Charly and Florida via direct organogenesis using the in vitro juvenile leaves as explants. Explants were collected after sub-culturing on a propagation medium composed of MS supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BA; 0.1 mg/l GA3 and 0.1 mg/l IBA. To select the suitable organogenesis, the explants of the three cultivars were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of TDZ (1, 2, 3, and 4 mg/l), then incubated at a temperature of 22 °C ± 2. Medium containing 2 mg/l TDZ revealed the best regeneration efficiency with the three cultivars (72% for Festival, and 73% for Sweet Charly and Florida). After 4 weeks, the produced shoots were cultured on MS medium with different concentrations of BA and Kin to enhance shoot elongation. Results showed that the medium containing 1.5 mg/l BA and 0.5 mg/l Kin revealed highest elongation efficiency (88% and 94%) for Festival and Sweet Charly, respectively. On the other hand, medium containing 1.5 mg/l BA and 0.1 mg/l Kin showed highest elongation efficiency (90%) in Florida. Elongated shoots were successfully rooted on MS medium containing 1.5 mg/l NAA. Furthermore, transformation of the two cultivars, Festival and Sweet Charly, has been established via Agrobacterium strain LBA44404 containing the plasmid pISV2678 with gus-intron and bar genes. Three days post co-cultivation, GUS activity was screening using the histochemical assay. The results showed 16% and 18% of the tested plant materials has changed into blue color for Festival and Sweet Charly, respectively. Out of 120 explants only 13 shoots were developed on bialaphos medium for each cultivar, representing 10.8% bialaphos resistant strawberry shoot. The presence of the both genes bar and uid A was detected by PCR and Northern giving a transformation efficiency of 5%. PMID:24322545

Analysis and Optimization of Four-Coil Planar Magnetically Coupled Printed Spiral Resonators.

PubMed

Khan, Sadeque Reza; Choi, GoangSeog

2016-08-03

High-efficiency power transfer at a long distance can be efficiently established using resonance-based wireless techniques. In contrast to the conventional two-coil-based inductive links, this paper presents a magnetically coupled fully planar four-coil printed spiral resonator-based wireless power-transfer system that compensates the adverse effect of low coupling and improves efficiency by using high quality-factor coils. A conformal architecture is adopted to reduce the transmitter and receiver sizes. Both square architecture and circular architectures are analyzed and optimized to provide maximum efficiency at a certain operating distance. Furthermore, their performance is compared on the basis of the power-transfer efficiency and power delivered to the load. Square resonators can produce higher measured power-transfer efficiency (79.8%) than circular resonators (78.43%) when the distance between the transmitter and receiver coils is 10 mm of air medium at a resonant frequency of 13.56 MHz. On the other hand, circular coils can deliver higher power (443.5 mW) to the load than the square coils (396 mW) under the same medium properties. The performance of the proposed structures is investigated by simulation using a three-layer human-tissue medium and by experimentation.

Solid hydrogen coated graphite particles in the interstellar medium. I.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swamy, K. S. K.; Wickramasinghe, N. C.

1969-01-01

Solid para hydrogen coated graphite particles expulsion into interstellar medium from star formation regions, considering mantles stability and particles extinction efficiency, albedo and phase function

Poster presentation - a visual medium for academic and scientific meetings.

PubMed

Rowe, Nicholas; Ilic, Dragan

2011-09-01

Academic poster presentations are used as a medium of knowledge transfer by a wide range of health professional groups. Posters also provide a means of publication for academic and professional contributors. Posters are designed to give a visual representation of an issue that firstly attracts attention, and then conveys an intended message. Whilst the poster medium has become adopted into the publication orthodoxy of the scientific and academic communities, there are acknowledged limitations regarding the depth of knowledge transfer, issues of compilation and production, and the related viewer conception. If treated as a standalone medium, the limitations of a two-dimensional, page limited format may not provide the ideal opportunity to deliver the depth of information required within the academic context. Despite these limitations however, the continued use of posters is justified when supported by author presentation or multi-media resources. This paper aims to provide an overview of the current concept and practicality of academic poster publications. It also outlines by example, some of the wider principles of poster compilation and presentation, for use by those who may utilise the medium at academic and scientific meetings. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Novel In Vitro Method for Detecting Undifferentiated Human Pluripotent Stem Cells as Impurities in Cell Therapy Products Using a Highly Efficient Culture System

PubMed Central

Tano, Keiko; Yasuda, Satoshi; Kuroda, Takuya; Saito, Hirohisa; Umezawa, Akihiro; Sato, Yoji

2014-01-01

Innovative applications of cell therapy products (CTPs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in regenerative medicine are currently being developed. The presence of residual undifferentiated hPSCs in CTPs is a quality concern associated with tumorigencity. However, no simple in vitro method for direct detection of undifferentiated hPSCs that contaminate CTPs has been developed. Here, we show a novel approach for direct and sensitive detection of a trace amount of undifferentiated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) using a highly efficient amplification method in combination with laminin-521 and Essential 8 medium. Essential 8 medium better facilitated the growth of hiPSCs dissociated into single cells on laminin-521 than in mTeSR1 medium. hiPSCs cultured on laminin-521 in Essential 8 medium were maintained in an undifferentiated state and they maintained the ability to differentiate into various cell types. Essential 8 medium allowed robust hiPSC proliferation plated on laminin-521 at low cell density, whereas mTeSR1 did not enhance the cell growth. The highly efficient culture system using laminin-521 and Essential 8 medium detected hiPSCs spiked into primary human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) or human neurons at the ratio of 0.001%–0.01% as formed colonies. Moreover, this assay method was demonstrated to detect residual undifferentiated hiPSCs in cell preparations during the process of hMSC differentiation from hiPSCs. These results indicate that our highly efficient amplification system using a combination of laminin-521 and Essential 8 medium is able to detect a trace amount of undifferentiated hPSCs contained as impurities in CTPs and would contribute to quality assessment of hPSC-derived CTPs during the manufacturing process. PMID:25347300

Automatic temperature adjustment apparatus

DOEpatents

Chaplin, James E.

1985-01-01

An apparatus for increasing the efficiency of a conventional central space heating system is disclosed. The temperature of a fluid heating medium is adjusted based on a measurement of the external temperature, and a system parameter. The system parameter is periodically modified based on a closed loop process that monitors the operation of the heating system. This closed loop process provides a heating medium temperature value that is very near the optimum for energy efficiency.

An Efficient Plant Regeneration and Transformation System of Ma Bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro) Started from Young Shoot as Explant

PubMed Central

Ye, Shanwen; Cai, Changyang; Ren, Huibo; Wang, Wenjia; Xiang, Mengqi; Tang, Xiaoshan; Zhu, Caiping; Yin, Tengfei; Zhang, Li; Zhu, Qiang

2017-01-01

Genetic engineering technology has been successfully used in many plant species, but is limited in woody plants, especially in bamboos. Ma bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro) is one of the most important bamboo species in Asia, and its genetic improvement was largely restricted by the lack of an efficient regeneration and transformation method. Here we reported a plantlet regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol by using Ma bamboo young shoots as explants. Under our optimized conditions, embryogenic calluses were successfully induced from the excised young shoots on callus induction medium and rapidly grew on callus multiplication medium. Shoots and roots were regenerated on shoot induction medium and root induction medium, respectively, with high efficiency. An Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation protocol of Ma bamboo was established, verified by PCR and GUS staining. Furthermore, the maize Lc gene under the control of the ubiquitin promoter was successfully introduced into Ma bamboo genome and generated an anthocyanin over-accumulation phenotype. Our methods established here will facilitate the basic research as well as genetic breeding of this important bamboo species. Key achievements: A stable and high efficiency regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol for Ma bamboo from vegetative organ is established. PMID:28798758

Medium-based noninvasive preimplantation genetic diagnosis for human α-thalassemias-SEA.

PubMed

Wu, Haitao; Ding, Chenhui; Shen, Xiaoting; Wang, Jing; Li, Rong; Cai, Bing; Xu, Yanwen; Zhong, Yiping; Zhou, Canquan

2015-03-01

To develop a noninvasive medium-based preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) test for α-thalassemias-SEA. The embryos of α-thalassemia-SEA carriers undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) were cultured. Single cells were biopsied from blastomeres and subjected to fluorescent gap polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis; the spent culture media that contained embryo genomic DNA and corresponding blastocysts as verification were subjected to quantitative-PCR (Q-PCR) detection of α-thalassemia-SEA. The diagnosis efficiency and allele dropout (ADO) ratio were calculated, and the cell-free DNA concentration was quantitatively assessed in the culture medium. The diagnosis efficiency of medium-based α-thalassemias-SEA detection significantly increased compared with that of biopsy-based fluorescent gap PCR analysis (88.6% vs 82.1%, P < 0.05). There is no significant difference regarding ADO ratio between them. The optimal time for medium-based α-thalassemias-SEA detection is Day 5 (D5) following IVF. Medium-based α-thalassemias-SEA detection could represent a novel, quick, and noninvasive approach for carriers to undergo IVF and PGD.

17 CFR 33.1 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... communication for publication in any newspaper, magazine or similar medium, or for broadcast over television, radio, or other electronic medium, which is disseminated or directed to an option customer or...

Design of an efficient medium for heterologous protein production in Yarrowia lipolytica: case of human interferon alpha 2b.

PubMed

Gasmi, Najla; Ayed, Atef; Nicaud, Jean-Marc; Kallel, Héla

2011-05-20

The non conventional yeast Yarrowia lipolytica has aroused a strong industrial interest for heterologous protein production. However most of the studies describing recombinant protein production by this yeast rely on the use of complex media, such media are not convenient for large scale production particularly for products intended for pharmaceutical applications. In addition medium composition can also affect the production yield. Hence it is necessary to design an efficient medium for therapeutic protein expression by this host. Five different media, including four minimal media and a complex medium, were assessed in shake flasks for the production of human interferon alpha 2b (hIFN α2b) by Y. lipolytica under the control of POX2 promoter inducible with oleic acid. The chemically defined medium SM4 formulated by Invitrogen for Pichia pastoris growth was the most suitable. Using statistical experimental design this medium was further optimized. The selected minimal medium consisting in SM4 supplemented with 10 mg/l FeCl₃, 1 g/l glutamate, 5 ml/l PTM1 (Pichia Trace Metals) solution and a vitamin solution composed of myo-inositol, thiamin and biotin was called GNY medium. Compared to shake flask, bioreactor culture in GNY medium resulted in 416-fold increase of hIFN α2b production and 2-fold increase of the biological activity. Furthermore, SM4 enrichment with 5 ml/l PTM1 solution contributed to protect hIFN α2b against the degradation by the 28 kDa protease identified by zymography gel in culture supernatant. The screening of the inhibitory effect of the trace elements present in PTM1 solution on the activity of this protease was achieved using a Box-Behnken design. Statistical data analysis showed that FeCl₃ and MnSO₄ had the most inhibitory effect. We have designed an efficient medium for large scale production of heterologous proteins by Y. lipolytica. The optimized medium GNY is suitable for the production of hIFN α2b with the advantage that no complex nitrogen sources with non-defined composition were required.

The Relationship between Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement in a Group of High, Medium, and Low Secondary Public High School Achievers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas-Brantley, Betty J.

This study investigated the relationship between self-esteem and academic achievement in a group of 150 high, medium, and low achievers at a large midwestern public high school. Correlating data from the Coopersmith Inventory of self-esteem with grades, cumulative grade point averages, and class rank, the study disclosed a positive correlation…

Protocol for in vitro somatic embryogenesis and regeneration of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

PubMed

Verma, Dipti; Joshi, Rohit; Shukla, Alok; Kumar, Pramod

2011-12-01

Development of highly efficient and reproducible plant regeneration system has tremendous potential to provide improved technology to assist in genetic transformation of indica rice cultivars for their further exploitation in selection. For the development of a highly reproducible regeneration system through somatic embryogenesis, mature embryos of highly popular rice cultivars i.e., Govind (for rainfed areas), Pusa Basmati-1 (aromatic basmati) and Jaya (for irrigated areas) were used. Optimum callus formation (%) to MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D was obtained at 12.0 microM in Govind, 14.0 microM in Jaya and 15.0 microM in Pusa Basmati-1. All the cultivars showed good proliferation on MS medium without hormone. In Govind, highest embryogenic response was observed in MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D (0.4 microM) + kinetin (0.4 microM), while in Pusa Basmati-1 with 2, 4-D (0.4 microM) + kinetin (2.0 microM) and in Jaya on hormone-free MS medium. Excellent embryo regeneration in Govind was observed on MS medium supplemented with low concentrations (1.1 microM) of BAP or hormone-free MS medium, while in Pusa Basmati-1 and Jaya embryogenesis was observed on MS medium supplemented with higher concentration of BAP (2.2 microM). Similarly, maximum plantlets with proliferated roots were observed in Govind on hormone-free MS medium, while in Pusa Basmati-1 and Jaya on MS medium supplemented with high concentration of NAA (4.0 microM). Developed plantlets were further successfully acclimatized and grown under pot culture up to maturity. Further the yield potential of in vitro developed plants was accessed at par to the direct seeded one under pot culture. Present, protocol standardizes somatic embryogenesis and efficient regeneration of agronomically important, high yielding and diverse indica rice cultivars which can be utilized as an efficient tool for molecular studies and genetic transformation in future.

Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle R and D: Strategic Plan.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-04-01

This strategic plan addresses Department of Transportation's research and development activities that support improvements in the environmental characteristics and energy efficiency of medium- and heavy duty transportation vehicles and, by increasing...

Mechanical fibrinogen-depletion supports heparin-free mesenchymal stem cell propagation in human platelet lysate.

PubMed

Laner-Plamberger, Sandra; Lener, Thomas; Schmid, Doris; Streif, Doris A; Salzer, Tina; Öller, Michaela; Hauser-Kronberger, Cornelia; Fischer, Thorsten; Jacobs, Volker R; Schallmoser, Katharina; Gimona, Mario; Rohde, Eva

2015-11-10

Pooled human platelet lysate (pHPL) is an efficient alternative to xenogenic supplements for ex vivo expansion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in clinical studies. Currently, porcine heparin is used in pHPL-supplemented medium to prevent clotting due to plasmatic coagulation factors. We therefore searched for an efficient and reproducible medium preparation method that avoids clot formation while omitting animal-derived heparin. We established a protocol to deplete fibrinogen by clotting of pHPL in medium, subsequent mechanical hydrogel disruption and removal of the fibrin pellet. After primary culture, bone-marrow and umbilical cord derived MSCs were tested for surface markers by flow cytometry and for trilineage differentiation capacity. Proliferation and clonogenicity were analyzed for three passages. The proposed clotting procedure reduced fibrinogen more than 1000-fold, while a volume recovery of 99.5 % was obtained. All MSC types were propagated in standard and fibrinogen-depleted medium. Flow cytometric phenotype profiles and adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potential in vitro were independent of MSC-source or medium type. Enhanced proliferation of MSCs was observed in the absence of fibrinogen but presence of heparin compared to standard medium. Interestingly, this proliferative response to heparin was not detected after an initial contact with fibrinogen during the isolation procedure. Here, we present an efficient, reproducible and economical method in compliance to good manufacturing practice for the preparation of MSC media avoiding xenogenic components and suitable for clinical studies.

Medium Bandgap Conjugated Polymer for High Performance Polymer Solar Cells Exceeding 9% Power Conversion Efficiency.

PubMed

Jung, Jae Woong; Liu, Feng; Russell, Thomas P; Jo, Won Ho

2015-12-02

Two medium-bandgap polymers composed of benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiohpene and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole with 6-octyl-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene as a π-bridge unit are synthesized and their photovoltaic properties are analyzed. The two polymers have deep highest occupied molecular orbital energy levels, high crystallinity, optimal bulk-heterojunction morphology, and efficient charge transport, resulting in a power conversion efficiency of as high as 9.44% for a single-junction polymer solar-cell device. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A rapid and efficient in vitro regeneration system for lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.).

PubMed

Armas, Isabel; Pogrebnyak, Natalia; Raskin, Ilya

2017-01-01

Successful biotechnological improvement of crop plants requires a reliable and efficient in vitro regeneration system. Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.), one the most important vegetable crops worldwide, is strongly genotype-dependent in terms of regeneration capacity, limiting the potential for biotechnological improvement of cultivars which show recalcitrance under currently available protocols. The effect of different nutrient sources, plant hormone combinations and activated charcoal supplementation on shoot induction efficiency was evaluated on the cultivar 'RSL NFR', which had previously shown poor regeneration efficiency. Multiple shoot organogenesis from cotyledon explants was recorded at the highest frequency and speed on Murashige and Skoog regeneration medium supplemented with 200 mg/l of activated charcoal, 3% sucrose, 10 mg/l benzylaminopurine and 0.5 mg/l naphthaleneacetic acid, which induced shoots through direct regeneration in 90.8 ± 7.9% of explants. High shoot induction efficiency was also observed, albeit not quantified, when using this medium on some other cultivars. This activated charcoal-containing regeneration medium might offer a rapid and efficient option for direct shoot induction in some lettuce genotypes that do not respond well to common lettuce regeneration protocols. This is also the first report of the effect of activated charcoal in lettuce tissue culture.

Excessive Cellular Proliferation Negatively Impacts Reprogramming Efficiency of Human Fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Gupta, Manoj K.; Teo, Adrian Kee Keong; Rao, Tata Nageswara; Bhatt, Shweta; Kleinridders, Andre; Shirakawa, Jun; Takatani, Tomozumi; Hu, Jiang; De Jesus, Dario F.; Windmueller, Rebecca; Wagers, Amy J.

2015-01-01

The impact of somatic cell proliferation rate on induction of pluripotent stem cells remains controversial. Herein, we report that rapid proliferation of human somatic fibroblasts is detrimental to reprogramming efficiency when reprogrammed using a lentiviral vector expressing OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and cMYC in insulin-rich defined medium. Human fibroblasts grown in this medium showed higher proliferation, enhanced expression of insulin signaling and cell cycle genes, and a switch from glycolytic to oxidative phosphorylation metabolism, but they displayed poor reprogramming efficiency compared with cells grown in normal medium. Thus, in contrast to previous studies, our work reveals an inverse correlation between the proliferation rate of somatic cells and reprogramming efficiency, and also suggests that upregulation of proteins in the growth factor signaling pathway limits the ability to induce pluripotency in human somatic fibroblasts. Significance The efficiency with which human cells can be reprogrammed is of interest to stem cell biology. In this study, human fibroblasts cultured in media containing different concentrations of growth factors such as insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 exhibited variable abilities to proliferate, with consequences on pluripotency. This occurred in part because of changes in the expression of proteins involved in the growth factor signaling pathway, glycolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation. These findings have implications for efficient reprogramming of human cells. PMID:26253715

Cultivation and energy efficient harvesting of microalgae using thermoreversible sol-gel transition

PubMed Central

Estime, Bendy; Ren, Dacheng; Sureshkumar, Radhakrishna

2017-01-01

Microalgae represent a promising source of renewable biomass for the production of biofuels and valuable chemicals. However, energy efficient cultivation and harvesting technologies are necessary to improve economic viability. A Tris-Acetate-Phosphate-Pluronic (TAPP) medium that undergoes a thermoreversible sol-gel transition is developed to efficiently culture and harvest microalgae without affecting the productivity as compared to that in traditional culture in a well-mixed suspension. After seeding microalgae in the TAPP medium in a solution phase at 15 °C, the temperature is increased by 7 °C to induce gelation. Within the gel, microalgae are observed to grow in large clusters rather than as isolated cells. The settling velocity of the microalgal clusters is approximately ten times larger than that of individual cells cultured in typical solution media. Such clusters are easily harvested gravimetrically by decreasing the temperature to bring the medium to a solution phase. PMID:28102313

Helicopter Northeast Corridor Operational Test Support.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-06-01

helicopters in the U. S. and Canada show a predom- inent application of small helicopters COMMERCIAL USES OF SMALL AND MEDIUM for corporate, charter, aerial...appli- HEICOPTERS cations and public safety. Medium/ U.S. and Canada. Exolessedin oercent. Small Medium heavy helicopters are used predomi- Use...safety (police. lire 17.5 4.0 fighting. etc. LTraining 6.0 - Figure 5 GROWTH FORECAST FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM HELICOPTERS For U.S. and Canada. Helicopter

Human serum-derived protein removes the need for coating in defined human pluripotent stem cell culture

PubMed Central

Pijuan-Galitó, Sara; Tamm, Christoffer; Schuster, Jens; Sobol, Maria; Forsberg, Lars; Merry, Catherine L. R.; Annerén, Cecilia

2016-01-01

Reliable, scalable and time-efficient culture methods are required to fully realize the clinical and industrial applications of human pluripotent stem (hPS) cells. Here we present a completely defined, xeno-free medium that supports long-term propagation of hPS cells on uncoated tissue culture plastic. The medium consists of the Essential 8 (E8) formulation supplemented with inter-α-inhibitor (IαI), a human serum-derived protein, recently demonstrated to activate key pluripotency pathways in mouse PS cells. IαI efficiently induces attachment and long-term growth of both embryonic and induced hPS cell lines when added as a soluble protein to the medium at seeding. IαI supplementation efficiently supports adaptation of feeder-dependent hPS cells to xeno-free conditions, clonal growth as well as single-cell survival in the absence of Rho-associated kinase inhibitor (ROCKi). This time-efficient and simplified culture method paves the way for large-scale, high-throughput hPS cell culture, and will be valuable for both basic research and commercial applications. PMID:27405751

The Comprehensive Benefit Evaluation of Take Shared Bicycles as Connecting to Public Transit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, J. Y.; Sun, H.; Li, P. F.; Li, C. C.

2017-10-01

Shared bicycles as an important way of connecting public transport, have few literature to evaluate its effectiveness.This paper taking Beijing city as an example, make anevaluationfor the six types of travel combinations which are commonly used by the citizens. The author selects four quantitative indicators: fuel consumption, economic cost, total time spent, and CO2 emission. And two qualitative indicators: degree of comfort and convenience. The relative efficiency of quantitative indicators is obtained by data envelopment analysis (DEA) and fuzzification and then take fuzzy synthetic evaluation with qualitative indicators.It was found that the choice of shared bicycles +subway+ shared bicycles and shared bicycles has good comprehensive benefits in medium distance travel. The findings also suggest that shared bicycles +subway+ shared bicycles is the best choice in the utilitarian trips. The conclusions not only provide suggestions for the travellers to select travel modes, but also can adjust the relevant factors to increase the proportion of green travel.

An efficient regeneration and rapid micropropagation protocol for Almond using dormant axillary buds as explants.

PubMed

Choudhary, Ravish; Chaudhury, Rekha; Malik, Surendra Kumar; Sharma, Kailash Chandra

2015-07-01

An efficient in vitro protocol was standardized for Almond (Prunus dulcis) propagation using dormant axillary buds as explants. Explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) and woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with different concentration/combination(s) of phytohormones. MS basal medium showed lowest shoot induction and took longest duration for shoot initiation. Multiple shoots were induced in MS medium supplemented with the combination of BAP (0.5 mgL(-1)). Cultures showed poor response for rooting in all combinations of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and took 90 days for initiation. Rooting was higher in half strength of MS than in full-strength. The highest root induction (33.33%) was recorded in half MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mgL(-1) IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) followed by full strength of MS medium (20%) supplemented with IBA (0.1 mgL(-1)). α-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) was less effective for rooting than IBA. The highest root induction (25%) was found in half strength of MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mgL(-1) NAA followed by full strength of MS medium (20%). The protocol developed would be of use in mass propagation of almond and also support in vitro conservation.

Traffic Adaptive Energy Efficient and Low Latency Medium Access Control for Wireless Sensor Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadav, Rajesh; Varma, Shirshu; Malaviya, N.

2008-05-01

Medium access control for wireless sensor networks has been a very active research area in the recent years. The traditional wireless medium access control protocol such as IEEE 802.11 is not suitable for the sensor network application because these are battery powered. The recharging of these sensor nodes is expensive and also not possible. The most of the literature in the medium access for the sensor network focuses on the energy efficiency. The proposed MAC protocol solves the energy inefficiency caused by idle listening, control packet overhead and overhearing taking nodes latency into consideration based on the network traffic. Simulation experiments have been performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The validation of the simulation results of the proposed MAC has been done by comparing it with the analytical model. This protocol has been simulated in Network Simulator ns-2.

LASERS: Efficient chemical oxygen — iodine laser with a high total pressure of the active medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zagidullin, M. V.; Nikolaev, V. D.; Svistun, M. I.; Khvatov, N. A.; Heiger, G. D.; Madden, T. J.

2001-01-01

A new concept of obtaining a high total pressure of the active medium of a chemical oxygen — iodine laser (OIL) is proposed and verified. The nozzle unit of the laser consists of the alternating vertical arrays of cylindrical nozzles to produce high-pressure nitrogen jets, plane slotted nozzles for the flow of O2(1Δ) oxygen, and vertical arrays of cylindrical nozzles to inject the N2 — I2 mixture between the first two streams. For a molar chlorine flow rate of 39.2 mmol s-1, the output power was 700 W and the chemical efficiency was 19.7 %. The combined use of the ejector nozzle unit proposed to obtain the active medium and a super-sonic diffuser allows a significant simplification of the ejection system for the exhaust active medium of the OIL.

Kinetic behavior of Candida guilliermondii yeast during xylitol production from Brewer's spent grain hemicellulosic hydrolysate.

PubMed

Mussatto, Solange I; Dragone, Giuliano; Roberto, Inês C

2005-01-01

Brewer's spent grain, the main byproduct of breweries, was hydrolyzed with dilute sulfuric acid to produce a hemicellulosic hydrolysate (containing xylose as the main sugar). The obtained hydrolysate was used as cultivation medium by Candidaguilliermondii yeast in the raw form (containing 20 g/L xylose) and after concentration (85 g/L xylose), and the kinetic behavior of the yeast during xylitol production was evaluated in both media. Assays in semisynthetic media were also performed to compare the yeast performance in media without toxic compounds. According to the results, the kinetic behavior of the yeast cultivated in raw hydrolysate was as effective as in semisynthetic medium containing 20 g/L xylose. However, in concentrated hydrolysate medium, the xylitol production efficiency was 30.6% and 42.6% lower than in raw hydrolysate and semisynthetic medium containing 85 g/L xylose, respectively. In other words, the xylose-to-xylitol bioconversion from hydrolysate medium was strongly affected when the initial xylose concentration was increased; however, similar behavior did not occur from semisynthetic media. The lowest efficiency of xylitol production from concentrated hydrolysate can be attributed to the high concentration of toxic compounds present in this medium, resulting from the hydrolysate concentration process.

Micropropagation of Asparagus by in vitro shoot culture.

PubMed

Stajner, Nataša

2013-01-01

Asparagus officinalis is most extensively studied species within the genus Asparagus, which is well known as garden asparagus. This species is dioecious with unisexual flowers, which means that generative propagation gives roughly equal number of male and female plants. Male plants are high yielders and preferred commercially over female plants. Tissue culture techniques could efficiently promote vegetative propagation of male plants and pave the way for efficient plant breeding.This chapter describes an efficient micropropagation protocol for developing rapid growing in vitro Asparagus shoot cultures. The source of explants, inoculation, and shoot proliferation, followed by shoot propagation, rooting, and acclimatization is described. The optimal medium for Asparagus micropropagation described in this chapter is composed of MS macro- and microelements and a combination of auxins and cytokinins. Plant growth regulators NAA, kinetin, and BA were used in various concentrations. Three different media representing the whole micropropagation protocol of Asparagus are described; medium for shoot initiation, medium for shoot multiplication, and medium for root formation. By in vitro propagation of Asparagus, root initiation is difficult, but can be promoted by adding growth retardant ancymidol which also greatly promotes shoot development and suppresses callus formation.

A Public Involvement Road Map

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-09-16

In order to have effective public involvement, governments need a road map for : the decision-making process. Yet, citizens from small and medium sized cities : frequently do not have the resources to use sophisticated technology for public : involve...

76 FR 65971 - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-25

... duty vehicles will be restored, and the words ``for passenger automobiles, light trucks and medium-duty... ``Base tire'' to read as follows: Sec. 523.2 Definitions. * * * * * Base tire for passenger automobiles...

The use of oak chips and coconut fiber as biofilter media to remove vocs in rendering process.

PubMed

Tymczyna, Leszek; Chmielowiec-Korzeniowska, Anna; Paluszak, Zbigniew; Dobrowolska, Magadalena; Banach, Marcin; Pulit, Jolanta

2013-01-01

The study evaluated the effectiveness of air biofiltration in rendering plants. The biofilter material comprised compost soil (40%) and peat (40%) mixed up with coconut fiber (medium A) and oak bark (medium B). During biofiltration average VOCs reduction reached 88.4% for medium A and 89.7% for medium B. A positive relationship of aldehyde reduction from material humidity (r = 0.502; α<0.05) was also noted. Other biomaterial parameters did not affect the treatment efficiency.

The impact of the financial crisis and austerity policies on the service quality of public hospitals in Greece.

PubMed

Keramidou, Ioanna; Triantafyllopoulos, Loukas

2018-04-01

The influence of the financial crisis on the efficiency of Greek public hospitals has been widely debated. Despite this increasing interest in such research, the question of to what extent the recent reforms in the Greek National health care system were effective in establishing a health care structure and process that provide better results for patients has yet to be fully investigated. As a step in this direction, the paper focuses on patient's experience with public hospital care quality before and during the economic crisis. A questionnaire survey was carried out among 1872 patients discharged from 110 out of the total of 124 Greek public hospitals. Patients' perceptions were analysed using a structural equation modelling approach. The findings reveal that public hospital service quality is at a medium level (66.2 on a scale from 1 to 100) over 2007-2014, presenting a decreasing trend during the recession. Policies to address the crisis may have contributed to a reduction in hospital expenditures, but at the same time patients were increasingly dissatisfied with the technical care. Consequently, there is a need for reforms aimed at the achievement of productivity gains, responsibility, and transparency in the management of productive resources, by enabling health organisations to reduce their costs without a deterioration in the quality of care. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Achromatic phase-matching second harmonic generation for a tunable laser

DOEpatents

Jacobson, A.G.; Bisson, S.; Trebino, R.

1998-01-20

An optical system uses a nonlinear optical medium to alter the frequency of a relatively narrow band light source tunable over a plurality of different frequencies using an optical system for passively directing light to the nonlinear medium at a correct phase matching angle. In this manner, the light from the tunable light source can be efficiently frequency-doubled or frequency-tripled without the need of moving parts. An all prism design provides a system of optimal efficiency. 6 figs.

Achromatic phase-matching second harmonic generation for a tunable laser

DOEpatents

Jacobson, Alexander Gerson; Bisson, Scott; Trebino, Rick

1998-01-01

An optical system uses a nonlinear optical medium to alter the frequency of a relatively narrow band light source tunable over a plurality of different frequencies using an optical system for passively directing light to the nonlinear medium at a correct phase matching angle. In this manner, the light from the tunable light source can be efficiently frequency-doubled or frequency-tripled without the need of moving parts. An all prism design provides a system of optimal efficiency.

A comparisoin of the R25 modification of Rappaport s enrichment medium with strontium chloride B for salmonella isolation from sewage polluted natural water.

PubMed Central

Harvey, R. W.; Price, T. H.

1982-01-01

The relation of salmonella isolation efficiency and the size of inoculum introduced from a buffered peptone water culture of sewage polluted water into strontium chloride B medium was investigated. Two separate studies were made, one using enrichment at 37 degrees C, the other at 43 degrees C. From these trials, two inocula suitable for efficient salmonella isolation were determined. Using this information, strontium chloride B medium was compared with modified Rappaport's broth (R25). The inoculum used with R25 was 0.005 ml, determined in an earlier study. Two incubation temperatures were employed with strontium chloride enrichment (37 and 43 degrees C). Rappaport's medium was incubated at 37 degrees C only. Elevated temperature enrichment at 43 degrees C improved the performance of strontium chloride B, but Rappaport's broth still gave significantly better results. This supports earlier studies on simplification of salmonella isolation and standardization of routine technique on a single enrichment medium: Rappaport broth (R25) incubated at 37 degrees C. PMID:7047641

Simple Cadmium Sulfide Compound with Stable 95 % Selectivity for Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction in Aqueous Medium.

PubMed

Li, Yu Hang; Cheng, Ling; Liu, Peng Fei; Zhang, Le; Zu, Meng Yang; Wang, Chong Wu; Jin, Yan Huan; Cao, Xiao Ming; Yang, Hua Gui; Li, Chunzhong

2018-05-09

A simple cadmium sulfide nanomaterial is found to be an efficient and stable electrocatalyst for CO 2 reduction in aqueous medium for more than 40 h with a steady CO faradaic efficiency of approximately 95 %. Moreover, it can realize a current density of -10 mA cm -2 at an overpotential of -0.55 V on a porous substrate with similar selectivity. Theoretical and experimental results confirm that the high selectivity for CO 2 reduction is due to its (0 0 0 2) face with sulfur vacancies that prefers CO 2 molecule reduction in aqueous medium. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Carbon fiber composite molecular sieve electrically regenerable air filter media

DOEpatents

Wilson, Kirk A.; Burchell, Timothy D.; Judkins, Roddie R.

1998-01-01

An electrically regenerable gas filter system includes a carbon fiber composite molecular sieve (CFCMS) filter medium. After a separate medium-efficiency pre-filter removes particulate from the supply airstream, the CFCMS filter sorbs gaseous air pollutants before the air is recirculated to the space. When saturated, the CFCMS media is regenerated utilizing a low-voltage current that is caused to pass through the filter medium.

Flotation removal of the microalga Nannochloropsis sp. using Moringa protein-oil emulsion: A novel green approach.

PubMed

Kandasamy, Ganesan; Shaleh, Sitti Raehanah Muhamad

2018-01-01

A new approach to recover microalgae from aqueous medium using a bio-flotation method is reported. The method involves utilizing a Moringa protein extract - oil emulsion (MPOE) for flotation removal of Nannochloropsis sp. The effect of various factors has been assessed using this method, including operating parameters such as pH, MPOE dose, algae concentration and mixing time. A maximum flotation efficiency of 86.5% was achieved without changing the pH condition of algal medium. Moreover, zeta potential analysis showed a marked difference in the zeta potential values when increase the MPOE dose concentration. An optimum condition of MPOE dosage of 50ml/L, pH 8, mixing time 4min, and a flotation efficiency of greater than 86% was accomplished. The morphology of algal flocs produced by protein-oil emulsion flocculant were characterized by microscopy. This flotation method is not only simple, but also an efficient method for harvesting microalgae from culture medium. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[The European countries confronting cancer: a set of indicators assessing public health status].

PubMed

Borella, Laurent

2008-11-01

We now know that efficient public policies for cancer control need to be global and take into account each and all the factors involved: economics and level of development, style of life and risk factors, access to screening, effectiveness of the care-providing system. A very simple scorecard is proposed, based on publicized public health indicators, which allows a comparison between European countries. We extracted 49 indicators from public databases and literature concerning 22 European countries. We made correlation calculations in order to identify relevant indicators from which a global score was extracted. Using a hierarchical clustering method we were then able to identify subsets of homogeneous countries. A 7 indicator scorecard was drawn up: national gross product, scientific production, smoking rate, breast screening participating rate, all cancer mortality rate (male population), 5 years relative survival for colorectal cancer and life expectancy at birth. A global score shows: 1) the better positioned countries: Switzerland, Sweden, Finland and France; 2) the countries where cancer control is less effective: Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Three subsets of countries with a fairly similar profile were identified: a high level of means and results group; a high level of means but a medium level of results group; and a low level of means and results group. This work emphasizes dramatically heterogeneous situations between countries. A follow-up, using a reduced but regularly updated set of public health indicators, would help induce an active European policy for cancer control.

Effect of medium components and culture conditions in Bacillus subtilis EA-CB0575 spore production.

PubMed

Posada-Uribe, Luisa F; Romero-Tabarez, Magally; Villegas-Escobar, Valeska

2015-10-01

Bacillus subtilis spores have important biotechnological applications; however, achieving both, high spore cell densities and sporulation efficiencies in fermentation, is poorly reported. In this study, medium components and culture conditions were optimized with different statistical methods to increase spore production of the plant growth promoting rhizobacteria B. subtilis EA-CB0575. Key medium components were determined with Plackett-Burman (PB) design, and the optimum concentration levels of two components (glucose, MgSO4·7H2O) were optimized with a full factorial and central composite design, achieving 1.37 × 10(9) CFU/mL of spore cell density and 93.5 % of sporulation efficiency in shake flask. The optimized medium was used to determine the effect of culture conditions on spore production at bioreactor level, finding that maintaining pH control did not affect significantly spore production, while the interaction of agitation and aeration rates had a significant effect on spore cell density. The overall optimization generated a 17.2-fold increase in spore cell density (8.78 × 10(9) CFU/mL) and 1.9-fold increase in sporulation efficiency (94.2 %) compared to that of PB design. These results indicate the potential of B. subtilis EA-CB0575 to produce both, high spore cell densities and sporulation efficiencies, with very low nutrient requirements and short incubation period which can represent savings of process production.

Efficient analysis of mode profiles in elliptical microcavity using dynamic-thermal electron-quantum medium FDTD method.

PubMed

Khoo, E H; Ahmed, I; Goh, R S M; Lee, K H; Hung, T G G; Li, E P

2013-03-11

The dynamic-thermal electron-quantum medium finite-difference time-domain (DTEQM-FDTD) method is used for efficient analysis of mode profile in elliptical microcavity. The resonance peak of the elliptical microcavity is studied by varying the length ratio. It is observed that at some length ratios, cavity mode is excited instead of whispering gallery mode. This depicts that mode profiles are length ratio dependent. Through the implementation of the DTEQM-FDTD on graphic processing unit (GPU), the simulation time is reduced by 300 times as compared to the CPU. This leads to an efficient optimization approach to design microcavity lasers for wide range of applications in photonic integrated circuits.

Inside Public Television

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wurtzel, Alan

1977-01-01

In the continuing saga of the perils of public television, the author, University of Georgia School of Journalism TV Coordinator, gives the viewer an inside look at the unwieldy structure of this non-commercial medium. Today's episode: Will high-quality programming survive? The players: 265 independent public TV stations, a decentralized public TV…

Carbon fiber composite molecular sieve electrically regenerable air filter media

DOEpatents

Wilson, K.A.; Burchell, T.D.; Judkins, R.R.

1998-10-27

An electrically regenerable gas filter system includes a carbon fiber composite molecular sieve (CFCMS) filter medium. After a separate medium-efficiency pre-filter removes particulate from the supply air stream, the CFCMS filter sorbs gaseous air pollutants before the air is recirculated to the space. When saturated, the CFCMS media is regenerated utilizing a low-voltage current that is caused to pass through the filter medium. 3 figs.

Increased efficiency of mammalian somatic cell hybrid production under microgravity conditions during ballistic rocket flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schnettler, R.; Gessner, P.; Zimmermann, U.; Neil, G. A.; Urnovitz, H. B.

1989-01-01

The electrofusion of hybridoma cell lines under short-duration microgravity during a flight of the TEXUS 18 Black Brand ballistic sounding rocket at Kiruna, Sweden is reported. The fusion partners, growth medium, cell fusion medium, cell fusion, cell viability in the fusion medium, and postfusion cell culture are described, and the rocket, cell fusion chamber, apparatus, and module are examined. The experimental timeline, the effects of fusion medium and incubation time on cell viability and hybrid yields, and the effect of microgravity on hybrid yields are considered.

Enhancement of temporal contrast of high-power laser pulses in an anisotropic medium with cubic nonlinearity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuz'mina, M. S.; Khazanov, E. A.

2015-05-01

We consider the methods for enhancing the temporal contrast of super-high-power laser pulses, based on the conversion of radiation polarisation in a medium with cubic nonlinearity. For a medium with weak birefringence and isotropic nonlinearity, we propose a new scheme to enhance the temporal contrast. For a medium with anisotropic nonlinearity, the efficiency of the temporal contrast optimisation is shown to depend not only on the spatial orientation of the crystal and B-integral, but also on the type of the crystal lattice symmetry.

Spectral stability of supercontinuum generation in condensed mediums

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jier; Zhang, Yizhu; Shen, Huifeng; Jiang, Yuhai; Wang, Zhongyang

2017-07-01

The features of the supercontinuum generation (SCG) using intense femtosecond pulses are systematically investigated in condensed mediums [sapphire, BK7 glass, ultraviolet (UV)-fused silica, and fluoride crystals]. By optimizing the experimental conditions and choosing suitable mediums, the bandwidth of the SCG can be extended to the UV regime with good spectral stability. This study demonstrates that materials with high bandgap present high efficiency for SCG, particularly in the short wavelength region. The achievable short wavelength and low power-density threshold of the SCG exhibit complicated correlations with the bandgap of condensed mediums.

REVISITING NUCLEOPHILIC SUBSTITUTION REACTIONS: MICROWAVE-ASSISTED SYNTHESIS OF AZIDES, THIOCYANATES AND SULFONES IN AQUEOUS MEDIUM

EPA Science Inventory

A practical, rapid and efficient microwave (MW) promoted synthesis of various azides, thiocyanates and sulfones, is described in aqueous medium. This general and expeditious MW-enhanced nucleophilic substitution approach uses easily accessible starting materials such as halides o...

Ultra Efficient Engine Technology Systems Integration and Environmental Assessment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daggett, David L.; Geiselhart, Karl A. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

This study documents the design and analysis of four types of advanced technology commercial transport airplane configurations (small, medium large and very large) with an assumed technology readiness date of 2010. These airplane configurations were used as a platform to evaluate the design concept and installed performance of advanced technology engines being developed under the NASA Ultra Efficient Engine Technology (UEET) program. Upon installation of the UEET engines onto the UEET advanced technology airframes, the small and medium airplanes both achieved an additional 16% increase in fuel efficiency when using GE advanced turbofan engines. The large airplane achieved an 18% increase in fuel efficiency when using the P&W geared fan engine. The very large airplane (i.e. BWB), also using P&W geared fan engines, only achieved an additional 16% that was attributed to a non-optimized airplane/engine combination.

Collection efficiency of a single optical fiber in turbid media.

PubMed

Bargo, Paulo R; Prahl, Scott A; Jacques, Steven L

2003-06-01

If a single optical fiber is used for both delivery and collection of light, two major factors affect the measurement of collected light: (1) the light transport in the medium that describes the amount of light that returns to the fiber and (2) the light coupling to the optical fiber that depends on the angular distribution of photons entering the fiber. We focus on the importance of the latter factor and describe how the efficiency of the coupling depends on the optical properties of the medium. For highly scattering tissues, the efficiency is well predicted by the numerical aperture (NA) of the fiber. For lower scattering, such as in soft tissues, photons arrive at the fiber from deeper depths, and the coupling efficiency could increase twofold to threefold above that predicted by the NA.

The innovative medicines initiative: a European response to the innovation challenge.

PubMed

Goldman, M

2012-03-01

The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) was launched in 2008 as a large-scale public-private partnership between the European Commission and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). With a total budget of €2 billion, the IMI aims to boost the development of new medicines across Europe by implementing new collaborative endeavors between large pharmaceutical companies and other key actors in the health-care ecosystem, i.e., academic institutions, small and medium enterprises, patients, and regulatory authorities. Projects conducted by IMI consortia have already delivered meaningful results, providing proof-of-concept evidence for the efficiency of this new model of collaboration. In this article we review recent achievements of the IMI consortia and discuss the growing interest in the IMI as a best-practice model to reinvigorate drug development.

76 FR 18264 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-01

..., Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy... resumption of quotations in a quotation medium by a broker-dealer for over-the- counter (``OTC'') securities... quotation for publication, in a quotation medium unless they have reviewed specified information concerning...

REVISITING CLASSICAL NUCLEOPHILIC SUBSTITUTIONS IN AQUEOUS MEDIUM: MICROWAVE-ASSISTED SYNTHESIS OF ALKYL AZIDES

EPA Science Inventory

An efficient and clean synthesis of alkyl azides using microwave (MW) radiation is described in aqueous medium by reacting alkyl halides or tosylates with alkali azides. This general and expeditious MW-enhanced approach to nucleophilic substitution reactions is applicable to the ...

Establishment of an efficient in vitro regeneration protocol for rapid and mass propagation of Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl. using seed culture.

PubMed

Nongdam, Potshangbam; Tikendra, Leimapokpam

2014-01-01

An efficient in vitro regeneration protocol from seed culture has been established successfully for Dendrobium chrysotoxum, an epiphytic orchid having tremendous ornamental and medicinal values. Seed germination response was encouraging in Mitra (M) medium enriched with different combinations of auxins and cytokinins. Medium supplemented with 0.4% activated charcoal (AC), 2 mg/L 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP), and 2 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) produced best seed germination percentage in 2 weeks of culture. Incorporation of higher concentration of kinetin (KN) or BAP in combination with low auxin in medium induced pronounced shooting and leaf formation. Reduction in leaf development was evident when cytokinins exist singly in medium indicating synergistic effect of auxin and cytokinin in leaf induction. Presence of elevated level of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) with low cytokinin content in medium generated more in vitro rooting, though IBA was found to be more effective in rooting induction as compared to NAA. The in vitro protocol for asymbiotic seed germination developed from the present investigation can be used for rapid mass propagation of this highly important Dendrobium orchid species.

Establishment of an Efficient In Vitro Regeneration Protocol for Rapid and Mass Propagation of Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl. Using Seed Culture

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

An efficient in vitro regeneration protocol from seed culture has been established successfully for Dendrobium chrysotoxum, an epiphytic orchid having tremendous ornamental and medicinal values. Seed germination response was encouraging in Mitra (M) medium enriched with different combinations of auxins and cytokinins. Medium supplemented with 0.4% activated charcoal (AC), 2 mg/L 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP), and 2 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) produced best seed germination percentage in 2 weeks of culture. Incorporation of higher concentration of kinetin (KN) or BAP in combination with low auxin in medium induced pronounced shooting and leaf formation. Reduction in leaf development was evident when cytokinins exist singly in medium indicating synergistic effect of auxin and cytokinin in leaf induction. Presence of elevated level of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) with low cytokinin content in medium generated more in vitro rooting, though IBA was found to be more effective in rooting induction as compared to NAA. The in vitro protocol for asymbiotic seed germination developed from the present investigation can be used for rapid mass propagation of this highly important Dendrobium orchid species. PMID:25401154

Variation of Spirulina maxima biomass production in different depths of urea-used culture medium

PubMed Central

Affan, Md-Abu; Lee, Dae-Won; Al-Harbi, Salim Marzoog; Kim, Han-Jun; Abdulwassi, Najah Ibrahim; Heo, Soo-Jin; Oh, Chulhong; Park, Heung-Sik; Ma, Chae Woo; Lee, Hyeon-Yong; Kang, Do-Hyung

2015-01-01

Fewer studies have assessed the outdoor cultivation of Spirulina maxima compared with S. platensis, although the protein content of S. maxima is higher than S. platensis. Spirulina growth medium requires an increased amount of NaHCO3, Na2CO3, and NaNO3, which increases the production cost. Therefore, the current study used a low-cost but high-efficiency biomass production medium (Medium M-19) after testing 33 different media. The medium depth of 25 cm (group A) was sub-divided into A1 (50% cover with a black curtain (PolyMax, 12 oz ultra-blackout), A2 (25% cover), and A3 (no cover). Similarly the medium depths of 30 and 35 cm were categorized as groups B (B1, B2, and B3) and C (C1, C2, and C3), respectively, and the effects of depth and surface light availability on growth and biomass production were assessed. The highest biomass production was 2.05 g L-1 in group A2, which was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in all other groups and sub-groups. Spirulina maxima died in B1 and C1 on the fifth day of culture. The biochemical composition of the biomass obtained from A2 cultures, including protein, carbohydrate, lipid, moisture, and ash, was 56.59%, 14.42%, 0.94%, 5.03%, and 23.02%, respectively. Therefore, S. maxima could be grown outdoors with the highest efficiency in urea-enriched medium at a 25-cm medium depth with 25% surface cover or uncovered. PMID:26691456

Variation of Spirulina maxima biomass production in different depths of urea-used culture medium.

PubMed

Affan, Md-Abu; Lee, Dae-Won; Al-Harbi, Salim Marzoog; Kim, Han-Jun; Abdulwassi, Najah Ibrahim; Heo, Soo-Jin; Oh, Chulhong; Park, Heung-Sik; Ma, Chae Woo; Lee, Hyeon-Yong; Kang, Do-Hyung

2015-01-01

Fewer studies have assessed the outdoor cultivation of Spirulina maxima compared with S. platensis, although the protein content of S. maxima is higher than S. platensis. Spirulina growth medium requires an increased amount of NaHCO3, Na2CO3, and NaNO3, which increases the production cost. Therefore, the current study used a low-cost but high-efficiency biomass production medium (Medium M-19) after testing 33 different media. The medium depth of 25 cm (group A) was sub-divided into A1 (50% cover with a black curtain (PolyMax, 12 oz ultra-blackout), A2 (25% cover), and A3 (no cover). Similarly the medium depths of 30 and 35 cm were categorized as groups B (B1, B2, and B3) and C (C1, C2, and C3), respectively, and the effects of depth and surface light availability on growth and biomass production were assessed. The highest biomass production was 2.05 g L-1 in group A2, which was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in all other groups and sub-groups. Spirulina maxima died in B1 and C1 on the fifth day of culture. The biochemical composition of the biomass obtained from A2 cultures, including protein, carbohydrate, lipid, moisture, and ash, was 56.59%, 14.42%, 0.94%, 5.03%, and 23.02%, respectively. Therefore, S. maxima could be grown outdoors with the highest efficiency in urea-enriched medium at a 25-cm medium depth with 25% surface cover or uncovered.

FASTSim: Future Automotive Systems Technology Simulator | Transportation

Science.gov Websites

on light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle efficiency, performance, cost, and battery life. This < 10 seconds to estimate vehicle efficiency, fuel economy, acceleration, battery life, and cost < ; 5 minutes to perform powertrain comparisons of efficiency and cost. FASTSim models a wide variety of

"Pictures with a purpose": the birth control debate on the big screen.

PubMed

Parry, Manon

2011-01-01

In the first half of the twentieth century, birth control advocates used the mass media to reframe contraception from a private, secret matter to an acceptable part of life fit for public discussion. Although their campaign began in print, they quickly embraced the more far-reaching medium of film to deliver their message. This article argues that birth control advocates circumvented the Comstock Act in the early decades of the twentieth century by taking up this new medium as part of a long-running strategy to publicize the birth control movement. Their efforts shaped both the public debate on the topic and the development of motion picture censorship.

Investigation on efficiency declines due to spectral overlap between LDAs pump and laser medium in high power double face pumped slab laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, Ye; Chen, Yanzhong; Liao, Lifen; Guo, Guangyan; He, Jianguo; Fan, Zhongwei

2018-03-01

In high power diode lasers, the input cooling water temperature would affect both output power and output spectrum. In double face pumped slab laser, the spectrum of two laser diode arrays (LDAs) must be optimized for efficiency reason. The spectrum mismatch of two LDAs would result in energy storing decline. In this work, thermal induced efficiency decline due to spectral overlap between high power LDAs and laser medium was investigated. A numerical model was developed to describe the energy storing variation with changing LDAs cooling water temperature and configuration (series/parallel connected). A confirmatory experiment was conducted using a double face pumped slab module. The experiment results show good agreements with simulations.

48 CFR 3452.227-70 - Publication and publicity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

.... 3452.227-70 Section 3452.227-70 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION... the published form. (b) The contractor shall acknowledge the support of the Department of Education in publicizing the work under this contract in any medium. This acknowledgment shall read substantially as...

Factors that affect public-supply water use in Florida, with a section on projected water use to the year 2020

USGS Publications Warehouse

Marella, R.L.

1992-01-01

Public-supply water use in Florida increased 242 percent between 1960 and 1987 from 530 Mgal/d (million gallons per day) to 1,811 Mgal/d. This change is primarily a result of increases in population and tourism since 1960. Public-supply utilities provide water to a variety of users. In 1985, 71 percent of the water used for public supply was delivered for residential uses, 15 percent for commercial uses, 9 percent for industrial uses, and the remaining 5 percent for public use or other uses. Residential use of public-supply water in Florida has increased nearly 280 Mgal/d, but has decreased in the proportion of total deliveries from 80 to 71 percent between 1975 and 1985. This trend resulted from increased tourism and related commercial services associated with population and visitors. One of several factors that influences public-supply water use in Florida is the increase in resident population, which increased from 4.95 million in 1960 to more than 12.0 million in 1987. Additionally, Florida's nonresident population increased from 18.8 million visitors in 1977, to 34.1 million visitors in 1987, and the part of Florida?s population that relies on public-supply water increased from 68 percent in 1960, to 86 percent in 1987. The public supply per capita use was multiplied by the projected populations for each county for the years 2000, 2010, and 2020 to forecast public-supply water use. Using medium projections, Florida?s population is expected to increase to nearly 16 million in the year 2000, to 18 million in the year 2010, and to almost 20 million in the year 2020, of which an estimated 13.5 million people will be supplied water from public-supply water systems in the year 2000, 15 million in 2010, and nearly 17 million by the year 2020. Public-supply water use is expected to increase to a projected (medium) 2,310 Mgal/d in the year 2000, 2,610 Mgal/d in the year 2010, and 2,890 Mgal/d in the year 2020. If the population exceeds the medium projections for the years 2000, 2010, and 2020, high projections estimate public-supply water use could reach 2,570 Mgal/d in 2000, 3,210 Mgal/d in 2010, and 3,900 Mgal/d in 2020. Palm Beach County is projected to have the largest increase in public-supply water use, from 168 Mgal/d used in 1987 to a medium projected 338 Mgal/d for 2020. Dade County?s public-supply water use is projected (medium) to increase to nearly 471 Mgal/d for 2020, the largest county use in Florida. Water demand options, such as conservation, restrictions, education programs, leak detection and repair programs, and more realistic pricing practices can reduce the demand for freshwater. Increased use of alternative sources of water, such as reclaimed wastewater and desalinated seawater also can reduce the demand for freshwater. Because the water demand projections in this report are based primarily on population projections, they should represent an upper limit of actual future demand if the population projections prove sound. Any additional water demand options implemented in the future at the State, county, or public-supply facility level may significantly reduce per capita use and result in public-supply use less than projected in this report.

[In vitro development and chimeric efficiency of mouse-porcine interspecies chimeric embryos in different culture systems].

PubMed

Wang, Ying; Ren, Jilong; Song, Yuran; Hai, Tang; Zhou, Qi; Liu, Zhonghua

2016-07-25

With the advancements of stem cells and regenerative medicine, interspecies chimera has become a hot topic and will pave a new way of providing donor sources in organ transplantation. However, the interspecies chimera is confronted with a number of scientific questions and technical obstacles, including selections of appropriate embryonic stage and appropriate culture medium; those factors will deeply influence the developmental balance between donor cells and receptor embryos. Due to its relatively rapid reproductive cycle and similar organ size to human's, porcine is a very potential donor candidate to study these questions. To compare the development and chimeric efficiency of interspecies embryos, we tested and evaluated three different culture systems, PZM-3 (Porcine zygotic medium), culture medium for iPSCs (N2B27) and 3.5 h of N2B27 before PZM-3 (N2B27(3.5 h)), and two different embryonic stages, 8-cell and blastocyst in mouse-porcine chimeric embryos using parthenogenetically activated porcine embryos and mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (miPS). The results showed that, PZM-3 was beneficial for both development of chimeric embryos and miPSCs proliferation in porcine embryos in the 8-cell injection group. After early blastocyst injection, the chimeric efficiency did not appear significantly different among the three culture systems but was lower than 8-cell injection. In summary, the results suggest that 8-cell injection and PZM-3 culture medium are more beneficial to the in vitro development and chimeric efficiency of mouse-porcine chimeric embryos.

Financing the HIV response in sub-Saharan Africa from domestic sources: Moving beyond a normative approach.

PubMed

Remme, Michelle; Siapka, Mariana; Sterck, Olivier; Ncube, Mthuli; Watts, Charlotte; Vassall, Anna

2016-11-01

Despite optimism about the end of AIDS, the HIV response requires sustained financing into the future. Given flat-lining international aid, countries' willingness and ability to shoulder this responsibility will be central to access to HIV care. This paper examines the potential to expand public HIV financing, and the extent to which governments have been utilising these options. We develop and compare a normative and empirical approach. First, with data from the 14 most HIV-affected countries in sub-Saharan Africa, we estimate the potential increase in public HIV financing from economic growth, increased general revenue generation, greater health and HIV prioritisation, as well as from more unconventional and innovative sources, including borrowing, health-earmarked resources, efficiency gains, and complementary non-HIV investments. We then adopt a novel empirical approach to explore which options are most likely to translate into tangible public financing, based on cross-sectional econometric analyses of 92 low and middle-income country governments' most recent HIV expenditure between 2008 and 2012. If all fiscal sources were simultaneously leveraged in the next five years, public HIV spending in these 14 countries could increase from US$3.04 to US$10.84 billion per year. This could cover resource requirements in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Swaziland, but not even half the requirements in the remaining countries. Our empirical results suggest that, in reality, even less fiscal space could be created (a reduction by over half) and only from more conventional sources. International financing may also crowd in public financing. Most HIV-affected lower-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa will not be able to generate sufficient public resources for HIV in the medium-term, even if they take very bold measures. Considerable international financing will be required for years to come. HIV funders will need to engage with broader health and development financing to improve government revenue-raising and efficiencies. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Economic Effects of Highway Relief Routes on Small and Medium-Size Communities: Literature Review and Identification Issues

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-04-01

Highway relief routes around small- or medium-size communities are an important element of the Texas Trunk System. These routes provide for the safe and efficient movement of through traffic and contribute to the growth of the Texas economy. For smal...

Kitchen Microbiology: It's Easier Than You Think!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilcoxson, Catherine; Shand, Stacey M.; Shand, Richard F.

1999-01-01

Offers a simple experiment that tests the effectiveness of cleaners that inhibit bacterial growth. Outlines a step-by-step method for preparing culture media that can be used for isolation and propagation of microorganisms. Concludes that kitchen medium is as efficient as the professionally-made medium in supporting colony growth. (CCM)

TANDEM BIS-ALDOL REACTION OF KETONES: A FACILE ONE-POT SYNTHESIS OF 1,3-DIOXANES IN AQUEOUS MEDIUM

EPA Science Inventory

A novel tandem bis-aldol reaction of ketone with paraformaldehyde catalyzed by polystyrenesulfonic acid in aqueous medium delivers 1,3-dioxanes in high yield. This one pot, operationally simple microwave-assisted synthetic protocol proceeds efficiently in water in the absence of ...

76 FR 61288 - Efficiency and Renewables Advisory Committee, Appliance Standards Subcommittee Negotiated...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-04

... Medium- and Low-Voltage Dry-Type Distribution Transformers AGENCY: Department of Energy, Office of Energy... Dry-Type Distribution Transformers and the second addressing Low-Voltage Dry-Type Distribution Transformers. The Liquid Immersed and Medium-Voltage Dry-Type Group (MV Group) and the Low-Voltage Dry-Type...

Medium and High Altitude Unmanned Aircraft System Acquisition: An Efficiency Study of Magnitude and Capability

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-06-12

these past efforts, DOD recognized the incredible potential that medium and high altitude UAS held for all uniformed services. A pilotless aircraft...from aircraft, ships, missiles, automobiles and related military support equipment. 30 RDT&E: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation pay for

Balancing the Equation: Public Radio Comes of Age.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Avery, Robert K.; Pepper, Robert

1979-01-01

The national development of public radio as a noncommercial medium is traced through the history of its national organizations, ending with the formation of its single programing and representational entity. (Author)

Photoinduced electron transfer interaction of anthraquinones with aniline quenchers: Influence of methyl substitution in aniline donors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sivakumar, V.; Ponnamma, Deepalekshmi; Hussein, Yasser H. A.

2017-02-01

Photoinduced electron transfer between triplet state of 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) and its two derivatives: 2-chloro-9,10-anthraquinone (CAQ) and sodium anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQS) and ground state aniline (AN) and its dimethyl substitutions: 2,3-dimethylaniline (2,3-DMA), 2,6-dimethylaniline (2,6-DMA), 3,5-dimethylaniline (3,5-DMA) and N,N-dimethylaniline (N,N-DMA) is studied using nanosecond laser flash photolysis at room temperature. Detection of radical bands of quinone anions and aniline cations along with their formation and/or decay kinetics are used to confirm the electron transfer (ET) process. In MeCN medium, AN quenches the triplet state of CAQ (CAQT) but not the triplets AQT or AQST. However in aqueous medium, AN quenches AQST and forms radical ion pair. All the DMAs can react through ET with all the triplet quinones at different degrees of efficiency in MeCN medium. Noticeably, the ring substituted DMAs are less efficient in electron donation to AQT or AQST while the N,N-DMA shows high efficiency in donating electron to all triplet quinones in MeCN medium. Charge distribution of donor molecules, in MeCN medium is calculated using density functional theory (DFT), and shows an enhancement of electron density of the ring of N,N-DMA, making it an ideal electron donor for ET studies compared to other DMAs. This systematic selection and usage of anilines with electrochemically tunable quinones can be viewed as a working model of donor-acceptor system that can be utilized in photoinduced ET applications.

Groundnut shell gasification performance in a fluidized bed gasifier with bubbling air as gasification medium.

PubMed

Singh, Dharminder; Yadav, Sanjeev; Rajesh, V M; Mohanty, Pravakar

2018-05-24

This work was focused on finding the groundnut shell (GNS) gasification performance in a fluidized bed gasifier with bubbling air as gasification medium. GNS in powder form (a mixture of different particle size as given in table 8 in the article) was gasified using naturally available river sand as bed material, top of the bed feeding, conventional charcoal as bed heating medium, and two cyclones for proper cleaning and cooling the product gas. Experiments were performed using different operating conditions such as equivalence ratio (ER) between 0.29 and 0.33, bed temperature between 650°C and 800°C, and feedstock feeding rate between 36 and 31.7 kg/h. Different parameters were evaluated to study the gasifier performance such as gas yield, cold gas efficiency, carbon conversion efficiency (CCE), and high heating value. The most suitable ER value was found to be 0.31, giving the most stable bed temperature profile at 714.4°C with 5-10% fluctuation. Cold gas efficiency and CCE at optimal ER of 0.31 was found to be 71.8% and 91%, respectively.

Production of DagA and ethanol by sequential utilization of sugars in a mixed-sugar medium simulating microalgal hydrolysate.

PubMed

Park, Juyi; Hong, Soon-Kwang; Chang, Yong Keun

2015-09-01

A novel two-step fermentation process using a mixed-sugar medium mimicking microalgal hydrolysate has been proposed to avoid glucose repression and thus to maximize substrate utilization efficiency. When DagA, a β-agarase was produced in one step in the mixed-sugar medium by using a recombinant Streptomyces lividans, glucose was found to have negative effects on the consumption of the other sugars and DagA biosynthesis causing low substrate utilization efficiency and low DagA productivity. To overcome such difficulties, a new strategy of sequential substrate utilization was developed. In the first step, glucose was consumed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae together with galactose and mannose producing ethanol, after which DagA was produced from the remaining sugars of xylose, rhamnose and ribose. Fucose was not consumed. By adopting this two-step process, the overall substrate utilization efficiency was increased approximately 3-fold with a nearly 2-fold improvement of DagA production, let alone the additional benefit of ethanol production. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The novel use of modified pig zygotic medium for the efficient culture of the preimplantation mouse embryos.

PubMed

Amarnath, Dasari; Wakayama, Sayaka; Zhu, Jie; Moawad, Adel R; Wakayama, Teruhiko; Campbell, Keith H S

2011-12-01

A high potassium concentration in culture media is considered detrimental to in vitro culture of mouse embryos. Here we show that pig zygotic medium (PZM) containing a higher concentration of potassium, and modified to contain 0.2 mM glucose and 0.01 mM EDTA, supported efficient pre- and post-implantation development of mouse zygotes to blastocysts and live pups, respectively. At first, modified PZM (mPZM) was compared with other culture media such as M16, CZB and KSOM-AA for its ability to support development of in vivo mouse zygotes to the blastocyst stage. The proportions of zygotes reaching 2-cell (94-99%) and blastocyst (90-96%) stages in mPZM and other media were not different. However, hatching rates of blastocysts were different (P < 0.05); whereas more than 90% of the blastocysts were hatching in mPZM or KSOM-AA, only 60% of the blastocysts did in M16 or CZB media (P < 0.05). Next we compared post-implantation development of in vitro fertilized zygotes developed to blastocysts in mPZM and KSOM-AA. The proportion of blastocysts developing into live pups was not different between mPZM (49%) and KSOM-AA (44%). Finally, we evaluated whether mPZM could be also used as a fertilization medium. Modified PZM containing 5.56 mM of glucose and 0.4% BSA efficiently supported IVF of mouse gametes. The percent of zygotes cleaving to 2-cell (94-98%) and blastocysts (91-93%) stage was not different from zygotes fertilized in human tubal fluid medium. We concluded that modified pig zygotic medium containing a higher potassium concentration than any other commonly used mouse media supported not only culture of mouse embryos, but also efficient IVF of mouse gametes. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Lagrangian methods in the analysis of nonlinear wave interactions in plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Galloway, J. J.

1972-01-01

An averaged-Lagrangian method is developed for obtaining the equations which describe the nonlinear interactions of the wave (oscillatory) and background (nonoscillatory) components which comprise a continuous medium. The method applies to monochromatic waves in any continuous medium that can be described by a Lagrangian density, but is demonstrated in the context of plasma physics. The theory is presented in a more general and unified form by way of a new averaged-Lagrangian formalism which simplifies the perturbation ordering procedure. Earlier theory is extended to deal with a medium distributed in velocity space and to account for the interaction of the background with the waves. The analytic steps are systematized, so as to maximize calculational efficiency. An assessment of the applicability and limitations of the method shows that it has some definite advantages over other approaches in efficiency and versatility.

Maximizing the Efficiency of MAGTF Airlift Capacity in WestPac

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-27

respectively, cover the realm of medium-long range, medium lift capabilities. The UC -35 and the UC -12 aircraft, for short-medium range, light lift...requirements, are variations similar to the Cessna Citation and Beechcraft King Air respectively. In addition, the upgraded UC -12W model possesses an...airlift are resident to the VMGR and H&HS squadrons, specifically, the KC-130 and the OSA C- 12 and UC -35 aircraft, respectively. Each of these units

Piezonuclear battery

DOEpatents

Bongianni, Wayne L.

1992-01-01

A piezonuclear battery generates output power arising from the piezoelectric voltage produced from radioactive decay particles interacting with a piezoelectric medium. Radioactive particle energy may directly create an acoustic wave in the piezoelectric medium or a moderator may be used to generate collision particles for interacting with the medium. In one embodiment a radioactive material (.sup.252 Cf) with an output of about 1 microwatt produced a 12 nanowatt output (1.2% conversion efficiency) from a piezoelectric copolymer of vinylidene fluoride/trifluorethylene.

On the Method of Efficient Ice Cold Energy Storage Using a Heat Transfer of Direct Contact Phase Change and a Natural Circulation of a Working Medium in an Enclosure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Utaka, Yoshio; Saito, Akio; Nakata, Naoki

The objectives of this report are to propose a new method of the high performance cold energy storage using ice as a phase change material and to clarify the heat transfer characteristics of the apparatus of ice cold energy storage based on the proposed principle. A working medium vapor layer a water layer and a working medium liquid layer stratified in this order from the top were kept in an enclosure composed of a condenser, an evaporator and a condensate receiver-and-return tube. The direct contact heat transfers between water or ice and a working medium in an enclosure were applied for realizing the high performance cold energy storage and release. In the storage and release processes, water changes the phase between the liquid and the solid, and the working medium cnanges between the vapor and the liquid with a natural circulation. Experimental apparatus was manufactured and R12 and R114 were selected as working media in the thermal energy storage enclosure. It was confirmed by the measurements that the efficient formation and melting of ice were achieved. Then, th e heat transfer characteristics were clarified for the effects of the initial water height, the initial height of woking medium liquid layer and the inlet coolant temperature.

76 FR 32381 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-06

..., Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy... regulate the initiation or resumption of quotations in a quotation medium by a broker-dealer for over-the... security, or submitting a quotation for publication, in a quotation medium unless they have reviewed...

Work Programme, 2003.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, Thessaloniki (Greece).

This publication presents work program 2003 in light of the new medium-term priorities 2003-06 and activities 2003 as a consistent and systematic translation of this multiannual approach, specifying activities and outputs to meet the medium-term strategy. A main strategic activity is described--further development of a knowledge management system…

Content Knowledge of the Internet Among Public Reference Librarians at the Cleveland Heights Public Library.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Augustine, Matthew J.

The Internet is becoming an increasingly important medium of electronic information dissemination, and thus an increasingly important library reference tool. This study examines the Internet skills of a sample group of 15 public reference librarians in the Adult Services Department at the Cleveland Heights Public Library. The Internet skills that…

The SDSS-XDQSO quasar targeting catalog

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bovy, Jo; Hennawi, J. F.; Hogg, D. W.; Myers, A. D.; Ross, N. P.

2011-01-01

We present the SDSS-XDQSO quasar targeting catalog for efficient flux-based quasar target selection down to the faint limit of the SDSS catalog, even at medium redshifts (2.5 < z < 3). We build models of the distributions of stars and quasars in flux space down to the flux limit by applying the extreme-deconvolution method (XD) to estimate the underlying density. We properly convolve this density with the flux uncertainties when evaluating the probability that an object is a quasar. This results in a targeting algorithm that is more principled, more efficient, and faster than other similar methods. We apply the algorithm to derive low- (z < 2.2), medium- (2.2 <= z 3.5) quasar probabilities for all 160,904,060 point-sources with dereddened i-and magnitude between 17.75 and 22.45 mag in SDSS Data Release 8. The catalog can be used to define a uniformly selected and efficient low- or medium-redshift quasar survey, such as that needed for the SDSS-III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey project. We show that the XDQSO technique performs as well as the current best photometric quasar selection technique at low redshift, and out-performs all other flux-based methods for selecting the medium-redshift quasars of our primary interest. Research supported by NASA (grant NNX08AJ48G) and the NSF (grant AST-0908357).

Analysis of the cost and efficiency relationship: experience in the Turkish pay for performance system.

PubMed

Gok, Mehmet Sahin; Altındağ, Erkut

2015-06-01

This paper analyzes the effects of the pay for performance (PFP) system on the efficiencies of public and private hospitals in Turkey. In order to evaluate these effects, we examine the relationship between hospital efficiency and health care costs in Turkey, and address the impact of the PFP system on the efficiencies of public and private hospitals. In an effort to analyze the efficiencies of public and private hospitals, this study uses data envelopment analysis. The Malmquist Productivity Index is also used to analyze the patterns of efficiency change for the study years from 2001 to 2008. This study shows that health care costs and hospital efficiency are negatively correlated for private hospitals, while they are positively correlated for public hospitals. In other words, increased health care costs might reduce efficiency in private hospitals in contrast to public hospitals. Our findings also indicate that average efficiencies of public hospitals tend to increase, particularly during the implementation period of PFP system. The efficiency trend of private hospitals, conversely, decreased in the latter periods of the PFP system. Suggestions for improvement are provided to the health care policy makers regarding the impact of health care reforms on public and private hospitals.

Optimizing the Efficiency of Tennessee Prekindergarten through Twelfth Grade Public Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ellerbrook, James Eric

2016-01-01

Previous studies that assess public school district efficiency have been restricted in practical research. Most studies base efficiency on student achievement, which can be convoluted due to the demographics of a public school district. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficiency of public education in a more meaningful way. This…

This is NHK 1976-77.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Japan Broadcasting Co., Tokyo

Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK), the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation, operates two public television, two medium wave radio and one VHF-FM public radio networks. NHK derives its support from receiver fees. Under the 1950 Broadcast Law which established NHK as a public broadcasting organization the Prime Minister appoints NHK's Board of Governors and…

A Model for Integrating Technology and Learning in Public Health Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bardzell, Shaowen; Bardzell, Jeffrey; So, Hyo-Jeong; Lee, Junghun

2004-01-01

As computer interfaces emerge as an instructional medium, instructors transitioning from the classroom continue to bear the burden of designing effective instruction. The medium of the computer interface, and the kinds of learning and interactive possibilities it affords, presumably changes the delivery of learner-centered instruction.…

Digital Liberal Arts at a Distance: A Consortium-Wide Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pearson, Ellen Holmes; McClurken, Jeffrey; Bailey, Claire

2016-01-01

Over the past decade, campus-based digital liberal arts projects have extended high-impact undergraduate research across disciplines and beyond the traditional print medium for the production and dissemination of knowledge. But many small- to medium-sized liberal arts colleges, and especially public liberal arts colleges, often lack the…

40 CFR Appendix B to Subpart Q of... - Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms. These organisms include... interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence... provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms...

40 CFR Appendix B to Subpart Q of... - Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence... microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms. These organisms include..., turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate...

48 CFR 227.7105-1 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... recordings, and other audiovisual works in any medium; sound recordings in any medium; musical, dramatic, and... works, or perform or display the work publicly. When the Government is not responsible for the content... liabilities that may arise out of the content, performance, use, or disclosure of such data. (b) Follow the...

On Research Methodology: The Cassette Tape as a Data Collection Medium.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yahya, Ismail bin; Moore, Gary E.

The efficiency and appropriateness of the cassette tape as a data collection medium was considered in this survey. A 19-item questionnaire was mailed to 117 agricultural teacher educators who had served at foreign locations. Most of the questions solicited qualitative data about their experiences, problems, and accomplishments. Respondents were…

Enhancement of the output emission efficiency of thin-film photoluminescence composite structures based on PbSe

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Anisimova, N. P.; Tropina, N. E., E-mail: Mazina_ne@mail.ru; Tropin, A. N.

2010-12-15

The opportunity to increase the output emission efficiency of PbSe-based photoluminescence structures by depositing an antireflection layer is analyzed. A model of a three-layer thin film where the central layer is formed of a composite medium is proposed to calculate the reflectance spectra of the system. In von Bruggeman's approximation of the effective medium theory, the effective permittivity of the composite layer is calculated. The model proposed in the study is used to calculate the thickness of the arsenic chalcogenide (AsS{sub 4}) antireflection layer. The optimal AsS{sub 4} layer thickness determined experimentally is close to the results of calculation, andmore » the corresponding gain in the output photoluminescence efficiency is as high as 60%.« less

Adsorption of aluminum and lead from wastewater by chitosan-tannic acid modified biopolymers: Isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamics and process mechanism.

PubMed

Badawi, M A; Negm, N A; Abou Kana, M T H; Hefni, H H; Abdel Moneem, M M

2017-06-01

Chitosan was reacted by tannic acid to obtain three modified chitosan biopolymer. Their chemical structures were characterized by FTIR and elemental analysis. The prepared biopolymers were used to adsorb Al(III) and Pb(II) metal ions from industrial wastewater. The factors affecting the adsorption process were biosorbent amount, initial concentration of metal ion and pH of the medium. The adsorption efficiency increased considerably with the increase of the biosorbent amount and pH of the medium. The adsorption process of biosorbent on different metal ions was fitted by Freundlich adsorption model. The adsorption kinetics was followed Pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption process occurred according to diffusion mechanism which was confirmed by the interparticle diffusion model. The modified biopolymers were efficient biosorbents for removal of Pb(II) and Al(III) metal ions from the medium. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Inroads to predict in vivo toxicology-an introduction to the eTOX Project.

PubMed

Briggs, Katharine; Cases, Montserrat; Heard, David J; Pastor, Manuel; Pognan, François; Sanz, Ferran; Schwab, Christof H; Steger-Hartmann, Thomas; Sutter, Andreas; Watson, David K; Wichard, Jörg D

2012-01-01

There is a widespread awareness that the wealth of preclinical toxicity data that the pharmaceutical industry has generated in recent decades is not exploited as efficiently as it could be. Enhanced data availability for compound comparison ("read-across"), or for data mining to build predictive tools, should lead to a more efficient drug development process and contribute to the reduction of animal use (3Rs principle). In order to achieve these goals, a consortium approach, grouping numbers of relevant partners, is required. The eTOX ("electronic toxicity") consortium represents such a project and is a public-private partnership within the framework of the European Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI). The project aims at the development of in silico prediction systems for organ and in vivo toxicity. The backbone of the project will be a database consisting of preclinical toxicity data for drug compounds or candidates extracted from previously unpublished, legacy reports from thirteen European and European operation-based pharmaceutical companies. The database will be enhanced by incorporation of publically available, high quality toxicology data. Seven academic institutes and five small-to-medium size enterprises (SMEs) contribute with their expertise in data gathering, database curation, data mining, chemoinformatics and predictive systems development. The outcome of the project will be a predictive system contributing to early potential hazard identification and risk assessment during the drug development process. The concept and strategy of the eTOX project is described here, together with current achievements and future deliverables.

Optimizing nitrogen application rate and plant density for improving cotton yield and nitrogen use efficiency in the North China Plain

PubMed Central

Dong, Helin; Zheng, Cangsong; Sun, Miao; Liu, Aizhong; Wang, Guoping; Liu, Shaodong; Zhang, Siping; Chen, Jing; Li, Yabing; Pang, Chaoyou; Zhao, Xinhua

2017-01-01

Plant population density (PPD) and nitrogen (N) application rate (NAR) are two controllable factors in cotton production. We conducted field experiments to investigate the effects of PPD, NAR and their interaction (PPD × NAR) on yield, N uptake and N use efficiency (NUE) of cotton using a split-plot design in the North China Plain during 2013 and 2014. The main plots were PPDs (plants m−2) of 3.00 (low), 5.25 (medium) and 7.50 (high) and the subplots were NARs of 0 (N-free), 112.5 (low), 225.0 (moderate) and 337.5 (high). During both 2013 and 2014, biological yield and N uptake of cotton increased significantly, but harvesting index decreased significantly with NAR and PPD increasing. With NAR increasing, internal nitrogen use efficiency(NUE) decreased significantly under three PPDs and agronomical NUE, physiologilal NUE, nitrogen recovery efficiency(NRE) and partial factor productivity from applied nitrogen (PFPN) also decreased significantly under high PPD between two years. Lint yield increment varied during different PPDs and years, but NAR enhancement showed less function under higher PPD than lower PPD in general. Taken together, moderate NAR under medium PPD combined higher lint yield with higher agronomic NUE, physiological NUE, and NRE, while low NAR with high PPD would achieve a comparable yield with superior NRE and PFPN and high NAR under high PPD and medium PPD produced higher biological yield but lower harvest index, lint yield and NUE compared to moderate NAR with medium PPD. Our overall results indicated that, in this region, increasing PPD and decreasing NAR properly would enhance both lint yield and NUE of cotton. PMID:28981538

Photoinduced electron transfer interaction of anthraquinones with aniline quenchers: Influence of methyl substitution in aniline donors.

PubMed

Sivakumar, V; Ponnamma, Deepalekshmi; Hussein, Yasser H A

2017-02-15

Photoinduced electron transfer between triplet state of 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) and its two derivatives: 2-chloro-9,10-anthraquinone (CAQ) and sodium anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQS) and ground state aniline (AN) and its dimethyl substitutions: 2,3-dimethylaniline (2,3-DMA), 2,6-dimethylaniline (2,6-DMA), 3,5-dimethylaniline (3,5-DMA) and N,N-dimethylaniline (N,N-DMA) is studied using nanosecond laser flash photolysis at room temperature. Detection of radical bands of quinone anions and aniline cations along with their formation and/or decay kinetics are used to confirm the electron transfer (ET) process. In MeCN medium, AN quenches the triplet state of CAQ (CAQ T ) but not the triplets AQ T or AQS T . However in aqueous medium, AN quenches AQS T and forms radical ion pair. All the DMAs can react through ET with all the triplet quinones at different degrees of efficiency in MeCN medium. Noticeably, the ring substituted DMAs are less efficient in electron donation to AQ T or AQS T while the N,N-DMA shows high efficiency in donating electron to all triplet quinones in MeCN medium. Charge distribution of donor molecules, in MeCN medium is calculated using density functional theory (DFT), and shows an enhancement of electron density of the ring of N,N-DMA, making it an ideal electron donor for ET studies compared to other DMAs. This systematic selection and usage of anilines with electrochemically tunable quinones can be viewed as a working model of donor-acceptor system that can be utilized in photoinduced ET applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analytic descriptions of cylindrical electromagnetic waves in a nonlinear medium

PubMed Central

Xiong, Hao; Si, Liu-Gang; Yang, Xiaoxue; Wu, Ying

2015-01-01

A simple but highly efficient approach for dealing with the problem of cylindrical electromagnetic waves propagation in a nonlinear medium is proposed based on an exact solution proposed recently. We derive an analytical explicit formula, which exhibiting rich interesting nonlinear effects, to describe the propagation of any amount of cylindrical electromagnetic waves in a nonlinear medium. The results obtained by using the present method are accurately concordant with the results of using traditional coupled-wave equations. As an example of application, we discuss how a third wave affects the sum- and difference-frequency generation of two waves propagation in the nonlinear medium. PMID:26073066

Facebook use among early-career veterinarians in Ontario, Canada (March to May 2010).

PubMed

Weijs, Cynthia A; Coe, Jason B; Christofides, Emily; Muise, Amy; Desmarais, Serge

2013-04-15

To explore the nature and content of information publicly posted to Facebook by early-career veterinarians. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Sample-352 early-career veterinarians. Publicly accessible Facebook profiles were searched online from March to May 2010 for profiles of early-career veterinarians (graduates from 2004 through 2009) registered with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, Canada. The content of veterinarians' Facebook profiles was evaluated and then categorized as low, medium, or high exposure in terms of the information a veterinarian had publicly posted to Facebook. Through the use of content analysis, high-exposure profiles were further analyzed for publicly posted information that may have posed risks to an individual's or the profession's public image. Facebook profiles for 352 of 494 (71%) registered early-career veterinarians were located. One-quarter (25%) of profiles were categorized as low exposure (ie, high privacy), over half (54%) as medium exposure (i.e., medium privacy), and 21% as high exposure (i.e., low privacy). Content analysis of the high-exposure profiles identified publicly posted information that may pose risks to an individual's or the profession's reputation, including breaches of client confidentiality, evidence of substance abuse, and demeaning comments toward others. Almost a quarter of veterinarians' Facebook profiles viewed in the present study contained publicly available content of a questionable nature that could pose a risk to the reputation of the individual, his or her practice, or the veterinary profession. The increased use of Facebook and all types of social media points to the need for raised awareness by veterinarians of all ages of how to manage one's personal and professional identities online to minimize reputation risks for individuals and their practices and to protect the reputation and integrity of the veterinary profession.

Public Library Directors: A Career and Managerial Profile.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mech, Terrence

1989-01-01

Develops a career and managerial profile of directors of Northeastern medium-sized public libraries based on the responses of 217 directors. The results confirm the existence of many of the gender-based career patterns found among directors of academic and larger public libraries together with an emphasis on internal administrator roles. (16…

Protection from Assault.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ewbank, H. L.

John Sparrow, British attorney and educator, argues that the current rejection of limitations on public decency in the name of freedom of speech needs reappraisal. His comments can be used as a basis to consider whether in the field of public decency the right of public expression in any medium is being upheld at the loss of respect for the…

ASE Program Certification Standards for Medium/Heavy Truck Technician Training Programs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, Herndon, VA.

This publication provides the evaluation policies, procedures, and standards to which a medium/heavy truck technician training program must adhere to be granted certification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. The policies section has three parts: the automobile areas that may be certified and minimum requirements for…

76 FR 22161 - Second Meeting: RTCA Special Committee 225: Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-20

... Committee 225: Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems--Small and Medium Sizes AGENCY: Federal... Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems--Small and Medium Sizes. SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 225: Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery...

76 FR 70531 - Fifth Meeting: RTCA Special Committee 225, Rechargeable Lithium Battery and Battery Systems-Small...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-14

... 225, Rechargeable Lithium Battery and Battery Systems--Small and Medium Size AGENCY: Federal Aviation..., Rechargeable Lithium Battery and Battery Systems--Small and Medium Size. SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 225, Rechargeable Lithium Battery and...

76 FR 6180 - First Meeting: RTCA Special Committee 225: Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-03

... 225: Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems--Small and Medium Sizes AGENCY: Federal... Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems--Small and Medium Sizes. SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 225: Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery...

76 FR 54527 - Fourth Meeting: RTCA Special Committee 225: Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-01

... Committee 225: Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems--Small and Medium Sizes AGENCY: Federal... Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems--Small and Medium Sizes. SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 225: Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery...

76 FR 38741 - Third Meeting: RTCA Special Committee 225: Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-01

... 225: Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems--Small and Medium Sizes AGENCY: Federal... Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems--Small and Medium Sizes. SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 225: Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery...

40 CFR 141.402 - Ground water source microbial monitoring and analytical methods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... the medium is set forth in the article “Evaluation of Enterolert for Enumeration of Enterococci in...). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www... American Public Health Association, 1015 Fifteenth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20005-2605. 3 Medium is...

Using Structure, Action, and Power to Make Teacher Preparation Responsive to Public Law 94-142.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bryson, John M.

Organizational design for change of teacher education institutions should focus on the shaping of political activities through forums, arenas, and courts. Forums provide the medium for expression and competition of alternate ideas in the institution, and arenas are the medium for achieving group objectives through cooperation, contest, or…

Plant-based culture media: Efficiently support culturing rhizobacteria and correctly mirror their in-situ diversity.

PubMed

Youssef, Hanan H; Hamza, Mervat A; Fayez, Mohamed; Mourad, Elhussein F; Saleh, Mohamed Y; Sarhan, Mohamed S; Suker, Ragab M; Eltahlawy, Asmaa A; Nemr, Rahma A; El-Tahan, Mahmod; Ruppel, Silke; Hegazi, Nabil A

2016-03-01

Our previous publications and the data presented here provide evidences on the ability of plant-based culture media to optimize the cultivability of rhizobacteria and to support their recovery from plant-soil environments. Compared to the tested chemically-synthetic culture media (e.g. nutrient agar and N-deficient combined-carbon sources media), slurry homogenates, crude saps, juices and powders of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) and succulent plants (Aloe vera and Aloe arborescens) were rich enough to support growth of rhizobacteria. Representative isolates of Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Bacillus spp. and Azospirillum spp. exhibited good growth on agar plates of such plant-based culture media. Cell growth and biomass production in liquid batch cultures were comparable to those reported with the synthetic culture media. In addition, the tested plant-based culture media efficiently recovered populations of rhizobacteria associated to plant roots. Culturable populations of >10(6)-10(8) cfu g(-1) were recovered from the ecto- and endo-rhizospheres of tested host plants. More than 100 endophytic culture-dependent isolates were secured and subjected to morphophysiological identification. Factor and cluster analyses indicated the unique community structure, on species, genera, class and phyla levels, of the culturable population recovered with plant-based culture media, being distinct from that obtained with the chemically-synthetic culture media. Proteobacteria were the dominant (78.8%) on plant-based agar culture medium compared to only 31% on nutrient agar, while Firmicutes prevailed on nutrient agar (69%) compared to the plant-based agar culture media (18.2%). Bacteroidetes, represented by Chryseobacterium indologenes, was only reported (3%) among the culturable rhizobacteria community of the plant-based agar culture medium.

Quantification of polyhydroxyalkanoates in mixed and pure cultures biomass by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy: comparison of different approaches.

PubMed

Isak, I; Patel, M; Riddell, M; West, M; Bowers, T; Wijeyekoon, S; Lloyd, J

2016-08-01

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used in this study for the rapid quantification of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) in mixed and pure culture bacterial biomass. Three different statistical analysis methods (regression, partial least squares (PLS) and nonlinear) were applied to the FTIR data and the results were plotted against the PHA values measured with the reference gas chromatography technique. All methods predicted PHA content in mixed culture biomass with comparable efficiency, indicated by similar residuals values. The PHA in these cultures ranged from low to medium concentration (0-44 wt% of dried biomass content). However, for the analysis of the combined mixed and pure culture biomass with PHA concentration ranging from low to high (0-93% of dried biomass content), the PLS method was most efficient. This paper reports, for the first time, the use of a single calibration model constructed with a combination of mixed and pure cultures covering a wide PHA range, for predicting PHA content in biomass. Currently no one universal method exists for processing FTIR data for polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) quantification. This study compares three different methods of analysing FTIR data for quantification of PHAs in biomass. A new data-processing approach was proposed and the results were compared against existing literature methods. Most publications report PHA quantification of medium range in pure culture. However, in our study we encompassed both mixed and pure culture biomass containing a broader range of PHA in the calibration curve. The resulting prediction model is useful for rapid quantification of a wider range of PHA content in biomass. © 2016 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Plant-based culture media: Efficiently support culturing rhizobacteria and correctly mirror their in-situ diversity

PubMed Central

Youssef, Hanan H.; Hamza, Mervat A.; Fayez, Mohamed; Mourad, Elhussein F.; Saleh, Mohamed Y.; Sarhan, Mohamed S.; Suker, Ragab M.; Eltahlawy, Asmaa A.; Nemr, Rahma A.; El-Tahan, Mahmod; Ruppel, Silke; Hegazi, Nabil A.

2015-01-01

Our previous publications and the data presented here provide evidences on the ability of plant-based culture media to optimize the cultivability of rhizobacteria and to support their recovery from plant-soil environments. Compared to the tested chemically-synthetic culture media (e.g. nutrient agar and N-deficient combined-carbon sources media), slurry homogenates, crude saps, juices and powders of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) and succulent plants (Aloe vera and Aloe arborescens) were rich enough to support growth of rhizobacteria. Representative isolates of Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Bacillus spp. and Azospirillum spp. exhibited good growth on agar plates of such plant-based culture media. Cell growth and biomass production in liquid batch cultures were comparable to those reported with the synthetic culture media. In addition, the tested plant-based culture media efficiently recovered populations of rhizobacteria associated to plant roots. Culturable populations of >106–108 cfu g−1 were recovered from the ecto- and endo-rhizospheres of tested host plants. More than 100 endophytic culture-dependent isolates were secured and subjected to morphophysiological identification. Factor and cluster analyses indicated the unique community structure, on species, genera, class and phyla levels, of the culturable population recovered with plant-based culture media, being distinct from that obtained with the chemically-synthetic culture media. Proteobacteria were the dominant (78.8%) on plant-based agar culture medium compared to only 31% on nutrient agar, while Firmicutes prevailed on nutrient agar (69%) compared to the plant-based agar culture media (18.2%). Bacteroidetes, represented by Chryseobacterium indologenes, was only reported (3%) among the culturable rhizobacteria community of the plant-based agar culture medium. PMID:26966571

Observation of Microorganisms in Milk after the Expiration Date Using Dry Rehydratable Film

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Youngshin; Lim, Soo-Min; Lee, Il-Sun

2013-01-01

Cultivation of microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria is often not included in scientific inquiries conducted in school because of the difficulty of manufacturing a suitable medium. A method using dry rehydratable film to reduce the need to manufacture a suitable medium and shorten incubation time was developed as an efficient microbial testing…

Window Glazing Types | Efficient Windows Collaborative

Science.gov Websites

of glass. Single Clear Single Tint Double Glazing The following sections on high-performance double fills. Double Clear Double Tint Double High-Solar-Gain Low-E Double Medium-Solar-Gain Low-E Double Low -Solar-Gain Low-E Double High-Solar-Gain Low-E with Roomside (4th surface) Low-E Double Medium-Solar-Gain

Evaluation of the Role of Public Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement in Stormwater Funding Decisions in New England

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

A detailed report examining the role of public outreach and stakeholder engagement in stormwater funding decisions based on the experiences of eleven small and medium-sized communities in New England.

Manipulating energy transfer in copolymer-based nanocomposites by their controlled nanocaging and release of an ionic styryl dye: a case of an ultrasensitive pH sensor.

PubMed

Manna, Anamika; Sahoo, Dibakar; Chakravorti, Sankar

2012-03-01

We report an interesting pH-tunable energy transfer between an acceptor ionic styryl dye 2-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-1-methylpyridinium iodide and a donor charge-transfer dye 1,8-naphthalimide in a vesicular medium. The polyethylene-b-polyethylene glycol block copolymer intercalates with the sodium dodecyl sulfate anionic surfactant to form self-aggregated nanocomposites. These nanocomposites interact with the donor molecules in aqueous solution to form "vesicles", and the donor molecules become attached on the outer wall by hydrogen bonding. The acceptor molecules are observed to be loaded in the vesicular interior. By controlling the spectral overlap of the donor and acceptor molecules by changing the pH of the medium, the energy-transfer efficiency in vesicles has been studied. The efficiency of energy transfer in vesicular media (55%) is found to be less compared to that in aqueous media (80%) at pH 7. The fall in efficiency has been attributed to the perturbation imparted by the vesicular wall due to the good matching of the donor-acceptor distance with the wall thickness. At low pH, the efficiency shows an abrupt increase (95%) due to the release of the acceptor molecules from the vesicular medium causing subsequent reduction of donor-acceptor separation and an increase of the spectral overlap at that pH.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Razhev, A M; Kargapol'tsev, E S; Churkin, D S

Results of an experimental study of the influence of a gas mixture (laser active medium) composition on an output energy and total efficiency of gas-discharge excimer lasers on ArF* (193 nm), KrCl* (222 nm), KrF* (248 nm) and XeCl* (308 nm) molecules operating without a buffer gas are presented. The optimal ratios of gas components (from the viewpoint of a maximum output energy) of an active medium are found, which provide an efficient operation of laser sources. It is experimentally confirmed that for gas-discharge excimer lasers on halogenides of inert gases the presence of a buffer gas in an activemore » medium is not a necessary condition for efficient operation. For the first time, in two-component gas mixtures of repetitively pulsed gas-discharge excimer lasers on electron transitions of excimer molecules ArF*, KrCl*, KrF* and XeCl*, the pulsed energy of laser radiation obtained under pumping by a transverse volume electric discharge in a low-pressure gas mixture without a buffer gas reached up to 170 mJ and a high pulsed output power (of up to 24 MW) was obtained at a FWHM duration of the KrF-laser pulse of 7 ns. The maximal total efficiency obtained in the experiment with two-component gas mixtures of KrF and XeCl lasers was 0.8%. (lasers)« less

Do photovoltaics have a future

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, B. F.

1979-01-01

There is major concern as to the economic practicality of widespread terrestrial use because of the high cost of the photovoltaic arrays themselves. Based on their high efficiency, photovoltaic collectors should be one of the cheapest forms of energy generators known. Present photovoltaic panels are violating the trend of lower costs with increasing efficiency due to their reliance on expensive materials. A medium technology solution should provide electricity competitive with the existing medium to high technology energy generators such as oil, coal, gas, and nuclear fission thermal plants. Programs to reduce the cost of silicon and develop reliable thin film materials have a realistic chance of producing cost effective photovoltaic panels.

Qubit transfer between photons at telecom and visible wavelengths in a slow-light atomic medium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gogyan, A.

We propose a method that enables efficient conversion of the quantum information frequency between different regions of a spectrum of light based on recently demonstrated strong parametric coupling between two narrow-band single-photon pulses propagating in a slow-light atomic medium [N. Sisakyan and Yu. Malakyan, Phys. Rev. A, 75, 063831 (2007)]. We show that an input qubit at telecom wavelength is transformed into another at a visible domain in a lossless and shape-conserving manner while keeping the initial quantum coherence and entanglement. These transformations can be realized with a quantum efficiency close to its maximum value.

Numerical modeling of heat transfer during hydrogen absorption in thin double-layered annular ZrCo beds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Yehui; Zeng, Xiangguo; Kou, Huaqin; Ding, Jun; Wang, Fang

2018-06-01

In this work a three-dimensional (3D) hydrogen absorption model was proposed to study the heat transfer behavior in thin double-layered annular ZrCo beds. Numerical simulations were performed to investigate the effects of conversion layer thickness, thermal conductivity, cooling medium and its flow velocity on the efficiency of heat transfer. Results reveal that decreasing the layer thickness and improving the thermal conductivity enhance the ability of heat transfer. Compared with nitrogen and helium, water appears to be a better medium for cooling. In order to achieve the best efficiency of heat transfer, the flow velocity needs to be maximized.

Neural efficiency as a function of task demands☆

PubMed Central

Dunst, Beate; Benedek, Mathias; Jauk, Emanuel; Bergner, Sabine; Koschutnig, Karl; Sommer, Markus; Ischebeck, Anja; Spinath, Birgit; Arendasy, Martin; Bühner, Markus; Freudenthaler, Heribert; Neubauer, Aljoscha C.

2014-01-01

The neural efficiency hypothesis describes the phenomenon that brighter individuals show lower brain activation than less bright individuals when working on the same cognitive tasks. The present study investigated whether the brain activation–intelligence relationship still applies when more versus less intelligent individuals perform tasks with a comparable person-specific task difficulty. In an fMRI-study, 58 persons with lower (n = 28) or respectively higher (n = 30) intelligence worked on simple and difficult inductive reasoning tasks having the same person-specific task difficulty. Consequently, less bright individuals received sample-based easy and medium tasks, whereas bright subjects received sample-based medium and difficult tasks. This design also allowed a comparison of lower versus higher intelligent individuals when working on the same tasks (i.e. sample-based medium task difficulty). In line with expectations, differences in task performance and in brain activation were only found for the subset of tasks with the same sample-based task difficulty, but not when comparing tasks with the same person-specific task difficulty. These results suggest that neural efficiency reflects an (ability-dependent) adaption of brain activation to the respective task demands. PMID:24489416

Establishment of an efficient genetic transformation method in Dunaliella tertiolecta mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

PubMed

Norzagaray-Valenzuela, Claudia D; Germán-Báez, Lourdes J; Valdez-Flores, Marco A; Hernández-Verdugo, Sergio; Shelton, Luke M; Valdez-Ortiz, Angel

2018-05-16

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms widely used for the production of highly valued compounds, and recently they have been shown to be promising as a system for the heterologous expression of proteins. Several transformation methods have been successfully developed, from which the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated method remains the most promising. However, microalgae transformation efficiency by A. tumefaciens is shown to vary depending on several transformation conditions. The present study aimed to establish an efficient genetic transformation system in the green microalgae Dunaliella tertiolecta using the A. tumefaciens method. The parameters assessed were the infection medium, the concentration of the A. tumefaciens and co-culture time. As a preliminary screening, the expression of the gusA gene and the viability of transformed cells were evaluated and used to calculate a novel parameter called Transformation Efficiency Index (TEI). The statistical analysis of TEI values showed five treatments with the highest gusA gene expression. To ensure stable transformation, transformed colonies were cultured on selective medium using hygromycin B and the DNA of resistant colonies were extracted after five subcultures and molecularly analyzed by PCR. Results revealed that treatments which use solid infection medium, A. tumefaciens OD 600  = 0.5 and co-culture times of 72 h exhibited the highest percentage of stable gusA expression. Overall, this study established an efficient, optimized A. tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation of D. tertiolecta, which represents a relatively easy procedure with no expensive equipment required. This simple and efficient protocol opens the possibility for further genetic manipulation of this commercially-important microalgae for biotechnological applications. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Efficacy of BACTEC TB in the rapid confirmatory diagnosis of mycobacterial infections. A Lebanese tertiary care center experience.

PubMed

Itani, Lina Y; Cherry, Mohamad A; Araj, George F

2005-01-01

Rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), especially multidrug-resistant strains, is of importance for prompt clinical management and initiation of public health control measures. Culture remains the "gold" standard in the confirmatory laboratory diagnosis of mycobacterial infections. The reliability of the automated radiometric BACTEC 460 TB (BACTEC) system for the rapid detection of mycobacteria in clinical specimens was evaluated and compared to the conventional culture on Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium. All clinical specimens submitted for mycobacterial culture were processed and simultaneously cultured on both BACTEC broth medium and LJ solid medium. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smears were also performed on the sediments. Differentiation of mycobacterial isolates as MTB or Mycobacterium sp. other than tuberculosis (MOTT) was based on the BACTEC NAP test. All positive culture findings recovered between January 1997 and December 2003 were analyzed in this study. A total of 3300 specimens were tested of which 355 (10.7%) yielded positive cultures consisting of 233 (65.6%) MTB and 122 (34.4%) MOTT. The percentages of AFB smear-positive were 45% and 49% in clinical specimens yielding MTB & MOTT, respectively. Though several types of specimens were cultured, most isolates (72% of MTB & 91% of MOTT) were recovered from respiratory specimens. Overall, the BACTEC showed significantly higher mycobacteria recovery rate (91%) than LJ (77%). In terms of times to detection, BACTEC showed significantly shorter detection time of isolates than LJ for the overall (mean 9.6 days for BACTEC vs. 22.8 days for LJ) and for each category of AFB smear finding. The detection time is shortened for BACTEC with the increasing grade of smear positivity. BACTEC is substantially more sensitive, efficient and rapid than LJ in the laboratory diagnosis of mycobacterial infections. This system also provides rapid differentiation of MTB from MOTT and susceptibility test results on MTB. However, the simultaneous use of BACTEC and LJ is recommended to provide maximum optimal recovery of isolates from clinical specimens. The time-saving in BACTEC provides an excellent facility for physicians in patient management and to public health personnel for prompt initiation of infection control measures.

[Ethics versus economics in public health? On the integration of economic rationality in a discourse of public health ethics].

PubMed

Rothgang, H; Staber, J

2009-05-01

In the course of establishing the discourse of public health ethics in Germany, we discuss whether economic efficiency should be part of public health ethics and, if necessary, how efficiency should be conceptualized. Based on the welfare economics theory, we build a theoretical framework that demands an integration of economic rationality in public health ethics. Furthermore, we consider the possible implementation of welfare efficiency against the background of current practice in an economic evaluation of health care in Germany. The indifference of the welfare efficiency criterion with respect to distribution leads to the conclusion that efficiency must not be the only criteria of public health ethics. Therefore, an ethical approach of principles should be chosen for public health ethics. Possible conflicts between principles of such an approach are outlined.

Effects of coating on the optical trapping efficiency of microspheres via geometrical optics approximation.

PubMed

Park, Bum Jun; Furst, Eric M

2014-09-23

We present the optical trapping forces that are generated when a single laser beam strongly focuses on a coated dielectric microsphere. On the basis of geometrical optics approximation (GOA), in which a particle intercepts all of the rays that make up a single laser beam, we calculate the trapping forces with varying coating thickness and refractive index values. To increase the optical trapping efficiency, the refractive index (n(b)) of the coating is selected such that n(a) < n(b) < n(c), where na and nc are the refractive indices of the medium and the core material, respectively. The thickness of the coating also increases trapping efficiency. Importantly, we find that trapping forces for the coated particles are predominantly determined by two rays: the incident ray and the first refracted ray to the medium.

An efficient absorbing system for spectrophotometric determination of nitrogen dioxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaveeshwar, Rachana; Amlathe, Sulbha; Gupta, V. K.

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method for determination of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide using o-nitroaniline as an efficient absorbing, as well as diazotizing, reagent is described. o-Nitroaniline present in the absorbing medium is diazotized by the absorbed nitrite ion to form diazonium compound. This is later coupled with 1-amino-2-naphthalene sulphonic acid (ANSA) in acidic medium to give red-violet-coloured dye,having λmax = 545 nm. The isoamyl extract of the red azo dye has λmax = 530 nm. The proposed reagents has ≈ 100% collection efficiency and the stoichiometric ratio of NO 2:NO 2- is 0.74. The other important analytical parameters have been investigated. By employing solvent extraction the sensitivity of the reaction was increased and up to 0.03 mg m -3 nitrogen dioxide could be estimated.

Efficient Third-Order Distributed Feedback Laser with Enhanced Beam Pattern

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hu, Qing (Inventor); Lee, Alan Wei Min (Inventor); Kao, Tsung-Yu (Inventor)

2015-01-01

A third-order distributed feedback laser has an active medium disposed on a substrate as a linear array of segments having a series of periodically spaced interstices therebetween and a first conductive layer disposed on a surface of the active medium on each of the segments and along a strip from each of the segments to a conductive electrical contact pad for application of current along a path including the active medium. Upon application of a current through the active medium, the active medium functions as an optical waveguide, and there is established an alternating electric field, at a THz frequency, both in the active medium and emerging from the interstices. Spacing of adjacent segments is approximately half of a wavelength of the THz frequency in free space or an odd integral multiple thereof, so that the linear array has a coherence length greater than the length of the linear array.

Enhancement of diffraction efficiency and storage life of poly(vinyl chloride)-based optical recording medium with incorporation of an electron donor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

John, Beena Mary; Ushamani, M.; Sreekumar, K.; Joseph, Rani; Sudha Kartha, C.

2007-01-01

The diffraction efficiency, sensitivity, and storage life of methylene blue-sensitized poly(vinyl chloride) film was improved by the addition of an electron donor in the matrix. The addition of pyridine enhanced the diffraction efficiency by two times, and storage life of the gratings was increased to 2-3 days.

76 FR 70376 - Efficiency and Renewables Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-14

...-Voltage Dry-Type Distribution Transformers. The Liquid Immersed and Medium-Voltage Dry- Type Group (MV... of distribution transformers, as authorized by the Energy Policy Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975, as... negotiated rulemaking process to develop proposed energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers...

49 CFR 535.4 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MEDIUM- AND HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLE FUEL EFFICIENCY PROGRAM § 535.4 Definitions. The... fuel cell. Fuel efficiency means the amount of work performed for each gallon of fuel consumed. Good... engine or powertrain that includes energy storage features other than a conventional battery system or...

49 CFR 535.4 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MEDIUM- AND HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLE FUEL EFFICIENCY PROGRAM § 535.4 Definitions. The... energy for the motor is supplied by a fuel cell. Fuel efficiency means the amount of work performed for... other than a conventional battery system or conventional flywheel. Supplemental electrical batteries and...

Highly efficient solar-pumped Nd:YAG laser.

PubMed

Liang, Dawei; Almeida, Joana

2011-12-19

The recent progress in solar-pumped laser with Fresnel lens and Cr:Nd:YAG ceramic medium has revitalized solar laser researches, revealing a promising future for renewable reduction of magnesium from magnesium oxide. Here we show a big advance in solar laser collection efficiency by utilizing an economical Fresnel lens and a most widely used Nd:YAG single-crystal rod. The incoming solar radiation from the sun is focused by a 0.9 m diameter Fresnel lens. A dielectric totally internally reflecting secondary concentrator is employed to couple the concentrated solar radiation from the focal zone to a 4 mm diameter Nd:YAG rod within a conical pumping cavity. 12.3 W cw laser power is produced, corresponding to 19.3 W/m(2) collection efficiency, which is 2.9 times larger than the previous results with Nd:YAG single-crystal medium. Record-high slope efficiency of 3.9% is also registered. Laser beam quality is considerably improved by pumping a 3 mm diameter Nd:YAG rod.

Optimization of a chondrogenic medium through the use of factorial design of experiments.

PubMed

Enochson, Lars; Brittberg, Mats; Lindahl, Anders

2012-12-01

The standard culture system for in vitro cartilage research is based on cells in a three-dimensional micromass culture and a defined medium containing the chondrogenic key growth factor, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. The aim of this study was to optimize the medium for chondrocyte micromass culture. Human chondrocytes were cultured in different media formulations, designed with a factorial design of experiments (DoE) approach and based on the standard medium for redifferentiation. The significant factors for the redifferentiation of the chondrocytes were determined and optimized in a two-step process through the use of response surface methodology. TGF-β1, dexamethasone, and glucose were significant factors for differentiating the chondrocytes. Compared to the standard medium, TGF-β1 was increased 30%, dexamethasone reduced 50%, and glucose increased 22%. The potency of the optimized medium was validated in a comparative study against the standard medium. The optimized medium resulted in micromass cultures with increased expression of genes important for the articular chondrocyte phenotype and in cultures with increased glycosaminoglycan/DNA content. Optimizing the standard medium with the efficient DoE method, a new medium that gave better redifferentiation for articular chondrocytes was determined.

An amorphous alloy core medium frequency magnetic-link for medium voltage photovoltaic inverters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rabiul Islam, Md.; Guo, Youguang; Wei Lin, Zhi; Zhu, Jianguo

2014-05-01

The advanced magnetic materials with high saturation flux density and low specific core loss have led to the development of an efficient, compact, and lightweight multiple-input multiple-output medium frequency magnetic-link. It offers a new route to eliminate some critical limitations of recently proposed medium voltage photovoltaic inverters. In this paper, a medium frequency magnetic-link is developed with Metglas amorphous alloy 2605S3A. The common magnetic-link generates isolated and balanced multiple DC supplies for all of the H-bridge inverter cells of the medium voltage inverter. The design and implementation of the prototype, test platform, and the experimental test results are analyzed and discussed. The medium frequency non-sinusoidal excitation electromagnetic characteristics of alloy 2605S3A are also compared with that of alloy 2605SA1. It is expected that the proposed new technology will have great potential for future renewable power generation systems and smart grid applications.

FIBER AND INTEGRATED OPTICS. OTHER TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS: Determination of the saturation parameter in a fast-flow CO2 active medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lebedev, V. F.; Lysikov, A. Yu; Ryazanova, A. V.; Shalygin, S. V.

1990-05-01

A diagnostic method was developed for determination of such an important characteristic of a CO2 active medium as the energy stored in the vibrational degrees of freedom of molecules, which can be determined directly from the experimentally measured powers of probe beams without the need for any additional information on the medium and without any numerical calculations. Measurements were carried out using a real fast-flow system, which satisfied the conditions of validity of the proposed diagnostic method, and the correctness of the approach was confirmed. The results obtained demonstrated the efficiency of the excitation of the medium when the pump conditions were varied.

Policy without a Plan: English as a Medium of Instruction in Rwanda

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pearson, Pamela

2014-01-01

From the time of Belgian colonial rule, French was predominantly the medium of instruction (MOI) in Rwanda. Then, in October 2008, a Rwandan Cabinet resolution called for the immediate implementation of English as the language of instruction in all public schools at all levels--from primary to tertiary. This study reports on ethnographic interview…

In a Different Voice: Promises and Trials of Non-English Medium Journals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Yew-Jin

2015-01-01

Various issues confronting science education publications that cater for non-English speaking audiences are explored. With reference to an English-medium journal that the author co-edits, two main conundrums are discussed: (1) How to serve local school practitioners in concrete ways while fulfilling the institutional goals of academia, and (2) the…

Production of a High Efficiency Microbial Flocculant by Proteus mirabilis TJ-1 Using Compound Organic Wastewater

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhiqiang; Xia, Siqing; Zhang, Jiao

2010-11-01

The production of a high efficiency microbial flocculant (MBF) by Proteus mirabilis TJ-1 using compound organic wastewater was investigated. To cut down the cost of the MBF production, several nutritive organic wastewaters were selected to replace glucose and peptone as the carbon source and the nitrogen source in the optimized medium of strain TJ-1, respectively. The compound wastewater of the milk candy and the soybean milk was found to be good carbon source and nitrogen source for this strain to produce MBF. The cost-effective culture medium consists of (per liter): 800 mL wastewater of milk candy, 200 mL wastewater of soybean milk, 0.3 g MgSO4ṡ7 H2O, 5 g K2HPO4, 2 g and KH2PO4, pH 7.0. The economic cost for the MBF production can be cut down over a half by using the developed culture medium. Furthermore, the utilization of the two wastewaters in the preparation of culture medium of strain TJ-1 can not only save their big treatment cost, but also realize their resource reuse.

Addition of Carbon to the Culture Medium Improves the Detection Efficiency of Aflatoxin Synthetic Fungi

PubMed Central

Suzuki, Tadahiro; Iwahashi, Yumiko

2016-01-01

Aflatoxin (AF) is a harmful secondary metabolite that is synthesized by the Aspergillus species. Although AF detection techniques have been developed, techniques for detection of AF synthetic fungi are still required. Techniques such as plate culture methods are continually being modified for this purpose. However, plate culture methods require refinement because they suffer from several issues. In this study, activated charcoal powder (carbon) was added to a culture medium containing cyclodextrin (CD) to enhance the contrast of fluorescence and improve the detection efficiency for AF synthetic fungi. Two culture media, potato dextrose agar and yeast extract sucrose agar, were investigated using both plate and liquid cultures. The final concentrations of CD and carbon in the media were 3 mg/mL and 0.3 mg/mL, respectively. Addition of carbon improved the visibility of fluorescence by attenuating approximately 30% of light scattering. Several fungi that could not be detected with only CD in the medium were detected with carbon addition. The carbon also facilitated fungal growth in the potato dextrose liquid medium. The results suggest that addition of carbon to media can enhance the observation of AF-derived fluorescence. PMID:27854283

Ti nanorod arrays with a medium density significantly promote osteogenesis and osteointegration

PubMed Central

Ning, Chengyun; Wang, Shuangying; Zhu, Ye; Zhong, Meiling; Lin, Xi; Zhang, Yu; Tan, Guoxin; Li, Mei; Yin, Zhaoyi; Yu, Peng; Wang, Xiaolan; Li, Ying; He, Tianrui; Chen, Wei; Wang, Yingjun; Mao, Chuanbin

2016-01-01

Ti implants are good candidates in bone repair. However, how to promote bone formation on their surface and their consequent perfect integration with the surrounding tissue is still a challenge. To overcome such challenge, we propose to form Ti nanorods on their surface to promote the new bone formation around the implants. Here Ti nanorod arrays (TNrs) with different densities were produced on pure Ti surfaces using an anodizing method. The influence of TNr density on the protein adsorption as well as on the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells were assessed. The TNrs were also implanted into the bone defects in rabbits to test their application in promoting bone formation and osteointegration at the implant-bone interface. TNrs with the medium density were found to show the best capability in promoting the protein adsorption from surrounding medium, which in turn efficiently enhanced osteogenic differentiation in vitro and osteointegration in vivo. Our work suggests that growing TNrs with a medium density on the surface of traditional Ti implants is an efficient and facile method for promoting bone formation and osteointegration in bone repair. PMID:26743328

Ti nanorod arrays with a medium density significantly promote osteogenesis and osteointegration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ning, Chengyun; Wang, Shuangying; Zhu, Ye; Zhong, Meiling; Lin, Xi; Zhang, Yu; Tan, Guoxin; Li, Mei; Yin, Zhaoyi; Yu, Peng; Wang, Xiaolan; Li, Ying; He, Tianrui; Chen, Wei; Wang, Yingjun; Mao, Chuanbin

2016-01-01

Ti implants are good candidates in bone repair. However, how to promote bone formation on their surface and their consequent perfect integration with the surrounding tissue is still a challenge. To overcome such challenge, we propose to form Ti nanorods on their surface to promote the new bone formation around the implants. Here Ti nanorod arrays (TNrs) with different densities were produced on pure Ti surfaces using an anodizing method. The influence of TNr density on the protein adsorption as well as on the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells were assessed. The TNrs were also implanted into the bone defects in rabbits to test their application in promoting bone formation and osteointegration at the implant-bone interface. TNrs with the medium density were found to show the best capability in promoting the protein adsorption from surrounding medium, which in turn efficiently enhanced osteogenic differentiation in vitro and osteointegration in vivo. Our work suggests that growing TNrs with a medium density on the surface of traditional Ti implants is an efficient and facile method for promoting bone formation and osteointegration in bone repair.

Electronic Publication: Writing for the Screen.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sharples, Mike

1999-01-01

Addresses paper versus electronic publication, discussing the implications for reading and writing, and whether it is as easy to read from a screen as from a book. Notes that the computer medium arose from a research project to design the perfect book, the Dynabook. (SR)

Changes in division of labour and tasks within public dentistry: relationship to employees work demands, health and work ability.

PubMed

Rolander, Bo; Wåhlin, Charlotte; Johnston, Venerina; Wagman, Petra; Lindmark, Ulrika

2016-08-01

By 2023, fewer dentists are expected in Sweden, at the same time as the demand for dental care is expected to increase. Older people, in particular, are expected to require more dental health than previous generations. To meet this demand, the public sector dentistry in Sweden is moving towards changes in division of labour among dental professionals, including dentists, dental hygienists and dental nurses. However, the impact of this reallocation on the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of employees is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare workplaces with an equal or larger proportion of dental hygienists than dentists (HDH) with workplaces with a larger proportion of dentists than dental hygienists (HD) on the physical and psychosocial work load, musculoskeletal and psychosomatic disorders and sickness presence. A total of 298 persons employed in the Public Dental Service in a Swedish County Council participated in this study. The medium large clinics HDH reported 85% of employee's with considerably more high psychosocial demands compared to employees in medium HD (53%) and large HD (57%). Employees in medium large clinics HDH also reported sleep problems due to work (25%) compared with employees in medium large clinics HD (6%), large clinics HD (11%) and small clinics HDH (3%). Clinic size does not seem to influence the outcome of the HD and HD clinics to any great extent. Of all employees, about 94-100% reported high precision demands and 78-91% poor work postures.

Dramatic secretion of recombinant protein expressed in tobacco cells with a designer glycopeptide tag is highly impacted by medium composition.

PubMed

Zhang, Ningning; Dolan, Maureen; Wu, Di; Phillips, Gregory C; Xu, Jianfeng

2016-12-01

Cell growth medium composition has profound impacts on the O -glycosylation of a "designer" arabinogalactan protein-based module; full glycosylation is essential in directing efficient extracellular secretion of the tagged recombinant protein. Expression of recombinant proteins in plant cells as fusion with a de novo designed hydroxyproline (Hyp)-O-glycosylated peptide (HypGP) tag, termed HypGP engineering technology, resulted in dramatically increased secreted protein yields. This is due to the function of the HypGP tag as a molecular carrier in promoting efficient transport of conjoined proteins into culture media. To optimize the cell culture to achieve the best secreted protein yields, the medium effects on the cell growth and protein secretion were investigated using as a model system the tobacco BY-2 cell expressing enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) fused with a (SP) 32 tag (32 tandem repeats of "Ser-Pro" motif). The (SP) 32 tag was found to undergo two-stage Hyp-O-glycosylation in plant cells with the dramatic secretion of the conjoined EGFP correlating with the triggering of the second-stage glycosylation. The BY-2 cell culture in SH medium generated a high secreted protein yield (125 mg/L) with a low cell biomass accumulation (~7.5 gDW/L). In contrast, very low secreted protein yields (~1.5 mg/L) with a high cell biomass accumulation (13.5 gDW/L) were obtained in MS medium. The macronutrients, specifically, the nitrogen supply greatly impacted the glycosylation of the (SP) 32 tag and subsequent protein secretion. Modified MS medium with reduced nitrogen levels boosted the secreted EGFP yields to 168 mg/L. This study demonstrates the profound impacts of medium composition on the secreted yields of a HypGP-tagged protein, and provides a basis for medium design to achieve the highest productivity of the HypGP engineering technology.

Simulations of Galactic polarized synchrotron emission for Epoch of Reionization observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spinelli, M.; Bernardi, G.; Santos, M. G.

2018-06-01

The detection of the redshifted cosmological 21 cm line signal requires the removal of the Galactic and extragalactic foreground emission, which is orders of magnitude brighter anywhere in the sky. Foreground cleaning methods currently used are efficient in removing spectrally smooth components. However, they struggle in the presence of not spectrally smooth contamination that is, therefore, potentially the most dangerous one. An example of this is the polarized synchrotron emission, which is Faraday rotated by the interstellar medium and leaks into total intensity due to instrumental imperfections. In this work we present new full-sky simulations of this polarized synchrotron emission in the 50 - 200 MHz range, obtained from the observed properties of diffuse polarized emission at low frequencies. The simulated polarized maps are made publicly available, aiming to provide more realistic templates to simulate the effect of instrumental leakage and the effectiveness of foreground separation techniques.

Banana peel reductant for leaching medium grade manganese ore in sulfuric acid solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aripin, H.; Joni, I. Made; Busaeri, Nundang; Usrah, Ifkar; Sudiana, I. Nyoman; Sabchevski, Svilen

2017-03-01

In this investigation, manganese has been produced from medium grade manganese ore from Karangnunggal mine (West Java, Indonesia). The effects of weighed amount of banana peels on the structural and leaching properties have been studied. The material's properties have been characterized on the basis of the experimental data obtained using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It has been found that an increase of the weighed amount of banana peels up to 4 g leads to an increase of the leaching efficiency of manganese from manganese ore. Above 4 g, however, the leaching efficiency does not change significantly. The analysis based on the interpretation of both XRD patterns and FTIR spectrum allows one to explain the increase in the leaching efficiencies of manganese by the reduction of MnO2 minerals and by the removal of hemicelluloses groups of banana peel in the samples.

Conversion of far ultraviolet to visible radiation: absolute measurements of the conversion efficiency of tetraphenyl butadiene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vest, Robert E.; Coplan, Michael A.; Clark, Charles W.

Far ultraviolet (FUV) scintillation of noble gases is used in dark matter and neutrino research and in neutron detection. Upon collisional excitation, noble gas atoms recombine into excimer molecules that decay by FUV emission. Direct detection of FUV is difficult. Another approach is to convert it to visible light using a wavelength-shifting medium. One such medium, tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB) can be vapor-deposited on substrates. Thus the quality of thin TPB films can be tightly controlled. We have measured the absolute efficiency of FUV-to-visible conversion by 1 μm-thick TPB films vs. FUV wavelengths between 130 and 300 nm, with 1 nm resolution. The energy efficiency of FUV to visible conversion varies between 1% and 5%. We make comparisons with other recent results. Work performed at the NIST SURF III Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility,.

Influences of Media Compositions on Characteristics of Isolated Bacteria Exhibiting Lignocellulolytic Activities from Various Environmental Sites.

PubMed

Gong, Gyeongtaek; Lee, Sun-Mi; Woo, Han Min; Park, Tai Hyun; Um, Youngsoon

2017-11-01

Efficient isolation of lignocellulolytic bacteria is essential for the utilization of lignocellulosic biomass. In this study, bacteria with cellulolytic, xylanolytic, and lignolytic activities were isolated from environmental sites such as mountain, wetland, and mudflat using isolation media containing the combination of lignocellulose components (cellulose, xylan, and lignin). Eighty-nine isolates from the isolation media were characterized by analyzing taxonomic ranks and cellulolytic, xylanolytic, and lignolytic activities. Most of the cellulolytic bacteria showed multienzymatic activities including xylanolytic activity. The isolation media without lignin were efficient in isolating bacteria exhibiting multienzymatic activities even including lignolytic activity, whereas a lignin-containing medium was effective to isolate bacteria exhibiting lignolytic activity only. Multienzymatic activities were mainly observed in Bacillus and Streptomyces, while Burkholderia was the most abundant genus with lignolytic activity only. This study provides insight into isolation medium for efficient isolation of lignocellulose-degrading microorganisms.

Improved production of transgenic Dioscorea zingiberensis (Dioscoreaceae) by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation.

PubMed

Shi, L; Fan, J Q; Hu, C G; Luo, J; Yao, J L

2012-02-03

The establishment of high-efficiency Agrobacterium-mediated transformation techniques could improve the production of Dioscorea zingiberensis, a medicinal species with a high diosgenin content. We co-cultivated embryogenic calli induced from mature seeds with A. tumefaciens strain EHA105. A binary vector, pCAMBIA1381, which contains the gfp and hpt genes under the control of the ubiquitin promoter and the CaMV 35S promoter, respectively, was used for transformation. Pre-culture, basic medium, acetosyringone, and bacterial density were evaluated to establish the most efficient protocol. The optimal conditions consisted of MS medium without CaCl(2) for pre- and co-cultivation, three days for pre-culture, addition of 200 μM AS, and an OD(600) of 0.5. The transgenic plants grown under selection were confirmed by PCR analysis and Southern blot analysis. This protocol produced transgenic D. zingiberensis plants in seven months, with a transformation efficiency of 6%.

Establishment of mouse embryonic stem cells from isolated blastomeres and whole embryos using three derivation methods

PubMed Central

González, Sheyla; Ibáñez, Elena

2010-01-01

Purpose The aim of the present study is to compare three previously described mouse embryonic stem cell derivation methods to evaluate the influence of culture conditions, number of isolated blastomeres and embryonic stage in the derivation process. Methods Three embryonic stem cell derivation methods: standard, pre-adhesion and defined culture medium method, were compared in the derivation from isolated blastomeres and whole embryos at 4- and 8-cell stages. Results A total of 200 embryonic stem cell lines were obtained with an efficiency ranging from 1.9% to 72%. Conclusions Using either isolated blastomeres or whole embryos, the highest rates of mouse embryonic stem cell establishment were achieved with the defined culture medium method and efficiencies increased as development progressed. Using isolated blastomeres, efficiencies increased in parallel to the proportion of the embryo volume used to start the derivation process. PMID:20862536

Novel core-shell (TiO2@Silica) nanoparticles for scattering medium in a random laser: higher efficiency, lower laser threshold and lower photodegradation.

PubMed

Jimenez-Villar, Ernesto; Mestre, Valdeci; de Oliveira, Paulo C; de Sá, Gilberto F

2013-12-21

There has been growing interest in scattering media in recent years, due to their potential applications as solar collectors, photocatalyzers, random lasers and other novel optical devices. Here, we have introduced a novel core-shell scattering medium for a random laser composed of TiO2@Silica nanoparticles. Higher efficiency, lower laser threshold and long photobleaching lifetime in random lasers were demonstrated. This has introduced a new method or parameter (fraction of absorbed pumping), which opens a new avenue to characterize and study the scattering media. Optical chemical and colloidal stabilities were combined by coating a suitable silica shell onto TiO2 nanoparticles.

Proposed Rule and Related Materials for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA and NHTSA, on behalf of the Department of Transportation, each proposed rules to establish a comprehensive Heavy-Duty National Program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase fuel efficiency for onroad heavy-duty vehicles.

76 FR 63566 - Efficiency and Renewables Advisory Committee, Appliance Standards Subcommittee, Negotiated...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-13

... Medium- and Low-Voltage Dry-Type Distribution Transformers AGENCY: Department of Energy, Office of Energy... Dry-Type and the second addressing Low-Voltage Dry-Type Distribution Transformers. The Liquid Immersed... proposed rule for regulating the energy efficiency of distribution transformers, as authorized by the...

An Interactive Multiobjective Programming Approach to Combinatorial Data Analysis.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brusco, Michael J.; Stahl, Stephanie

2001-01-01

Describes an interactive procedure for multiobjective asymmetric unidimensional seriation problems that uses a dynamic-programming algorithm to generate partially the efficient set of sequences for small to medium-sized problems and a multioperational heuristic to estimate the efficient set for larger problems. Applies the procedure to an…

[A new way of financing the French healthcare system?].

PubMed

Elbaum, Mireille

2010-01-01

Several changes occurred lately in the regulation of the French healthcare system: the public health insurance deficit has been reduced until 2008, the ratio of health expenditure as percentage of GDP has remained fairly stable, activity-based payments have been implemented in public and private hospitals, and the government tried to promote more coordination and better prescriptions among practitioners. These changes have nevertheless limited impacts, and do not concern the "heart" of economic regulation: the system of prices, fees and reimbursement remains unchanged, and health insurance deficits have been repeatedly funded by new specific taxes and decreases in reimbursement. The part of expenses left to complementary insurances and out-of-pocket spending is increasing for ambulatory care, and government policies claiming for more "responsibility" in the use of health care mainly apply to patients. As these problems remain unsolved, the French health system has to tackle major short and medium-term challenges: the consolidation of deficits linked or not to the economic crisis, the long-term trend of health care expenditures resulting from population ageing, and the necessity to improve the efficiency of the system in a way which does not increase inequities in health care access.

49 CFR 1103.29 - Public communication and solicitation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... shall not compensate or give anything of value to a representative of any communication medium in... 49 Transportation 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Public communication and solicitation. 1103.29... TRANSPORTATION BOARD, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RULES OF PRACTICE PRACTITIONERS Canons of Ethics The...

Differences in Coping Strategies for Public and Private Face-to-Face and Cyber Victimization among Adolescents in Six Countries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wright, Michelle F.; Yanagida, Takuya; Ševcíková, Anna; Aoyama, Ikuko; Dedková, Lenka; Machácková, Hana; Li, Zheng; Kamble, Shanmukh V.; Bayraktar, Fatih; Soudi, Shruti; Lei, Li; Shu, Chang

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to examine the role of publicity (private versus public) and medium (face-to-face versus cyber) in adolescents' coping strategies for hypothetical victimization, while also considering culture. Participants were adolescents from China, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, India, Japan, and the United States. The study also…

DICOM to print, 35-mm slides, web, and video projector: tutorial using Adobe Photoshop.

PubMed

Gurney, Jud W

2002-10-01

Preparing images for publication has dealt with film and the photographic process. With picture archiving and communications systems, many departments will no longer produce film. This will change how images are produced for publication. DICOM, the file format for radiographic images, has to be converted and then prepared for traditional publication, 35-mm slides, the newest techniques of video projection, and the World Wide Web. Tagged image file format is the common format for traditional print publication, whereas joint photographic expert group is the current file format for the World Wide Web. Each medium has specific requirements that can be met with a common image-editing program such as Adobe Photoshop (Adobe Systems, San Jose, CA). High-resolution images are required for print, a process that requires interpolation. However, the Internet requires images with a small file size for rapid transmission. The resolution of each output differs and the image resolution must be optimized to match the output of the publishing medium.

Extinction by a Homogeneous Spherical Particle in an Absorbing Medium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mishchenko, Michael I.; Videen, Gorden; Yang, Ping

2017-01-01

We use a recent computer implementation of the first principles theory of electromagnetic scattering to compute far-field extinction by a spherical particle embedded in an absorbing unbounded host. Our results show that the suppressing effect of increasing absorption inside the host medium on the ripple structure of the extinction efficiency factor as a function of the size parameter is similar to the well-known effect of increasing absorption inside a particle embedded in a nonabsorbing host. However, the accompanying effects on the interference structure of the extinction efficiency curves are diametrically opposite. As a result, sufficiently large absorption inside the host medium can cause negative particulate extinction. We offer a simple physical explanation of the phenomenon of negative extinction consistent with the interpretation of the interference structure as being the result of interference of the field transmitted by the particle and the diffracted field due to an incomplete wave front resulting from the blockage of the incident plane wave by the particle's geometrical projection.

An Innovative Design of a Clay-Zeolite Medium for the Adsorption of Total Phosphorus from Wastewater.

PubMed

Ciosek, Amanda Lidia; Luk, Grace K; Warner, Michèle; Warner, R Anthony

2016-02-01

Phosphorus significantly influences the eutrophication process, modifying the quality of waterways and habitat, especially in stagnant waterbodies exposed to septic tank effluent at high nutrient levels. This research explores the development of a cost-effective, efficient, and affordable on-site wastewater treatment system targeted as total phosphorus (TP) removal technology. The research objective is to demonstrate the TP removal efficiency of an optimized clay-zeolite medium by chemical adsorption. The study observes the effects of pellet medium design and modifications, influent concentrations, and contact time. Following various stages of optimization, the preliminary testing achieves a 45 ± 1.8% removal after 45 minutes of contact time. The optimized pellets are contained within a five-layer bench-scale model, achieving equilibrium TP removal of 72 ± 2.9% after 3 hours. Theoretical extrapolation to 12 contact hours indicates an achievement of 88% removal is possible. The results show a positive correlation with the linearized Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms.

Bibliography, geophysical data locations, and well core listings for the Mississippi Interior Salt Basin

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1998-05-01

To date, comprehensive basin analysis and petroleum system modeling studies have not been performed on any of the basins in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Of these basins, the Mississippi Interior Salt Basin has been selected for study because it is the most petroliferous basin in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, small- and medium-size companies are drilling the majority of the exploration wells. These companies do not have the resources to perform basin analysis or petroleum system modeling research studies nor do they have the resources to undertake elaborate information searches through the volumes of publicly available data at themore » universities, geological surveys, and regulatory agencies in the region. The Advanced Geologic Basin Analysis Program of the US Department of Energy provides an avenue for studying and evaluating sedimentary basins. This program is designed to improve the efficiency of the discovery of the nation`s remaining undiscovered oil resources by providing improved access to information available in the public domain and by increasing the amount of public information on domestic basins. This report provides the information obtained from Year 1 of this study of the Mississippi Interior Salt Basin. The work during Year 1 focused on inventorying the data files and records of the major information repositories in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico and making these inventories easily accessible in an electronic format.« less

Highly efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of embryogenic cell suspensions of Musa acuminata cv. Mas (AA) via a liquid co-cultivation system.

PubMed

Huang, Xia; Huang, Xue-Lin; Xiao, Wang; Zhao, Jie-Tang; Dai, Xue-Mei; Chen, Yun-Feng; Li, Xiao-Ju

2007-10-01

A high efficient protocol of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Musa acuminata cv. Mas (AA), a major banana variety of the South East Asia region, was developed in this study. Male-flower-derived embryogenic cell suspensions (ECS) were co-cultivated in liquid medium with Agrobacterium strain EHA105 harboring a binary vector pCAMBIA2301 carrying nptII and gusA gene in the T-DNA. Depending upon conditions and duration of co-cultivation in liquid medium, 0-490 transgenic plants per 0.5 ml packed cell volume (PCV) of ECS were obtained. The optimum duration of inoculation was 2 h, and the highest transformation frequency was achieved when infected ECS were co-cultivated in liquid medium first for 12 h at 40 rpm and then for 156 h at 100 rpm on a rotary shaker. Co-cultivation for a shorter duration (72 h) or shaking constantly at 100 rpm at the same duration gave 1.6 and 1.8 folds lower transformation efficiency, respectively. No transgenic plants were obtained in parallel experiments carried on semi-solid media. Histochemical GUS assay and molecular analysis in several tissues of the transgenic plants demonstrated that foreign genes were stably integrated into the banana genome. Compared to semi-solid co-cultivation transformation in other banana species, it is remarkable that liquid co-cultivation was much more efficient for transformation of the Mas cultivar, and was at least 1 month faster for regenerating transgenic plants.

NASA Publications Guide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

The publication programs and management policies of NASA are described and the details that authors and publication specialists need to know to carry out the agency's mission of disseminating the scientific and technical information derived from its activities are highlighted. Topics covered include the various kinds of NASA formal publications; selection of publication medium; printing and distribution; and requirements concerning style and format standards, copyright transfers, the cover, color, and foldouts. The sections of a report are delineated and editorial and page make-up responsibilities are also discussed.

Are Science Comics a Good Medium for Science Communication? The Case for Public Learning of Nanotechnology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Shu-Fen; Lin, Huann-shyang; Lee, Ling; Yore, Larry D.

2015-01-01

Comic books possessing the features of humour, narrative, and visual representation are deemed as a potential medium for science communication; however, empirical studies exploring the effects of comics are scarce. The purposes of this study were to examine and compare the impacts of a comic book and a text booklet on conveying the concepts of…

An Exploration of the Effects of Language Policy in Education in a Contemporary Puerto Rican Society

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maldonado-Valentín, Mirta

2016-01-01

During the Spanish regimen, Puerto Rican education was limited and restricted to Spanish language as the medium of instruction. It was not until the U.S. colonization of the island that public education was introduced. As a result, English replaced Spanish as medium of instruction in the new educational system. Immediately after, Puerto Rican…

78 FR 16443 - Energy Efficiency Program for Consumer Products: Energy Conservation Standards for Ceiling Fans...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-15

... with medium screw base sockets, as well as pin-based sockets. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(2)-(3)) The statute... (including candelabra screw base sockets) by January 1, 2007, and if DOE failed to issue such standards by... standards for light kits with sockets other than medium-screw base or pin-based fluorescent lamps in the CFR...

Ultraviolet light-emitting diodes in water disinfection.

PubMed

Vilhunen, Sari; Särkkä, Heikki; Sillanpää, Mika

2009-06-01

The novel system of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) was studied in water disinfection. Conventional UV lamps, like mercury vapor lamp, consume much energy and are considered to be problem waste after use. UV LEDs are energy efficient and free of toxicants. This study showed the suitability of LEDs in disinfection and provided information of the effect of two emitted wavelengths and different test mediums to Escherichia coli destruction. Common laboratory strain of E. coli (K12) was used and the effects of two emitted wavelengths (269 and 276 nm) were investigated with two photolytic batch reactors both including ten LEDs. The effects of test medium were examined with ultrapure water, nutrient and water, and nutrient and water with humic acids. Efficiency of reactors was almost the same even though the one emitting higher wavelength had doubled optical power compared to the other. Therefore, the effect of wavelength was evident and the radiation emitted at 269 nm was more powerful. Also, the impact of background was studied and noticed to have only slight deteriorating effect. In the 5-min experiment, the bacterial reduction of three to four log colony-forming units (CFU) per cubic centimeter was achieved, in all cases. When turbidity of the test medium was greater, part of the UV radiation was spent on the absorption and reactions with extra substances on liquid. Humic acids can also coat the bacteria reducing the sensitivity of the cells to UV light. The lower wavelength was distinctly more efficient when the optical power is considered, even though the difference of wavelengths was small. The reason presumably is the greater absorption of DNA causing more efficient bacterial breakage. UV LEDs were efficient in E. coli destruction, even if LEDs were considered to have rather low optical power. The effect of wavelengths was noticeable but the test medium did not have much impact. This study found UV LEDs to be an optimal method for bacterial disinfection. The emitted wavelength was found to be an essential factor when using LEDs; thus, care should be taken in selecting the proper LED for maximum disinfection.

The Impact on Growth of Higher Efficiency of Public Spending on Schools. OECD Economics Department Working Papers No. 547

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gonand, Frederic

2007-01-01

This paper assesses the impact on economic growth of increased efficiency of public spending in primary and lower-secondary education. Higher efficiency in public spending in schools can bolster growth through two main channels. On the one hand, it can allow a transfer of labour from the public sector to the business sector at unchanged…

Method for optical pumping of thin laser media at high average power

DOEpatents

Zapata, Luis E [Livermore, CA; Beach, Raymond J [Livermore, CA; Honea, Eric C [Sunol, CA; Payne, Stephen A [Castro Valley, CA

2004-07-13

A thin, planar laser material is bonded to a light guide of an index-matched material forming a composite disk. Diode array or other pump light is introduced into the composite disk through the edges of the disk. Pump light trapped within the composite disk depletes as it multi-passes the laser medium before reaching an opposing edge of the disk. The resulting compound optical structure efficiently delivers concentrated pump light and to a laser medium of minimum thickness. The external face of the laser medium is used for cooling. A high performance cooler attached to the external face of the laser medium rejects heat. Laser beam extraction is parallel to the heat flux to minimize optical distortions.

Technical- and environmental-efficiency analysis of irrigated cotton-cropping systems in Punjab, Pakistan using data envelopment analysis.

PubMed

Ullah, Asmat; Perret, Sylvain R

2014-08-01

Cotton cropping in Pakistan uses substantial quantities of resources and adversely affects the environment with pollutants from the inputs, particularly pesticides. A question remains regarding to what extent the reduction of such environmental impact is possible without compromising the farmers' income. This paper investigates the environmental, technical, and economic performances of selected irrigated cotton-cropping systems in Punjab to quantify the sustainability of cotton farming and reveal options for improvement. Using mostly primary data, our study quantifies the technical, cost, and environmental efficiencies of different farm sizes. A set of indicators has been computed to reflect these three domains of efficiency using the data envelopment analysis technique. The results indicate that farmers are broadly environmentally inefficient; which primarily results from poor technical inefficiency. Based on an improved input mix, the average potential environmental impact reduction for small, medium, and large farms is 9, 13, and 11 %, respectively, without compromising the economic return. Moreover, the differences in technical, cost, and environmental efficiencies between small and medium and small and large farm sizes were statistically significant. The second-stage regression analysis identifies that the entire farm size significantly affects the efficiencies, whereas exposure to extension and training has positive effects, and the sowing methods significantly affect the technical and environmental efficiencies. Paradoxically, the formal education level is determined to affect the efficiencies negatively. This paper discusses policy interventions that can improve the technical efficiency to ultimately increase the environmental efficiency and reduce the farmers' operating costs.

Analyzing the efficiency of small and medium-sized enterprises of a national technology innovation research and development program.

PubMed

Park, Sungmin

2014-01-01

This study analyzes the efficiency of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of a national technology innovation research and development (R&D) program. In particular, an empirical analysis is presented that aims to answer the following question: "Is there a difference in the efficiency between R&D collaboration types and between government R&D subsidy sizes?" Methodologically, the efficiency of a government-sponsored R&D project (i.e., GSP) is measured by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), and a nonparametric analysis of variance method, the Kruskal-Wallis (KW) test is adopted to see if the efficiency differences between R&D collaboration types and between government R&D subsidy sizes are statistically significant. This study's major findings are as follows. First, contrary to our hypothesis, when we controlled the influence of government R&D subsidy size, there was no statistically significant difference in the efficiency between R&D collaboration types. However, the R&D collaboration type, "SME-University-Laboratory" Joint-Venture was superior to the others, achieving the largest median and the smallest interquartile range of DEA efficiency scores. Second, the differences in the efficiency were statistically significant between government R&D subsidy sizes, and the phenomenon of diseconomies of scale was identified on the whole. As the government R&D subsidy size increases, the central measures of DEA efficiency scores were reduced, but the dispersion measures rather tended to get larger.

Optimized achromatic phase-matching system and method

DOEpatents

Trebino, R.; DeLong, K.; Hayden, C.

1997-07-15

An optical system for efficiently directing a large bandwidth light (e.g., a femtosecond laser pulse) onto a nonlinear optical medium includes a plurality of optical elements for directing an input light pulse onto a nonlinear optical medium arranged such that the angle {theta}{sub in} which the light pulse directed onto the nonlinear optical medium is substantially independent of a position x of the light beam entering the optical system. The optical system is also constructed such that the group velocity dispersion of light pulses passing through the system can be tuned to a desired value including negative group velocity dispersion. 15 figs.

Optimized achromatic phase-matching system and method

DOEpatents

Trebino, Rick; DeLong, Ken; Hayden, Carl

1997-01-01

An optical system for efficiently directing a large bandwidth light (e.g., a femtosecond laser pulse) onto a nonlinear optical medium includes a plurality of optical elements for directing an input light pulse onto a nonlinear optical medium arranged such that the angle .theta..sub.in which the light pulse directed onto the nonlinear optical medium is substantially independent of a position x of the light beam entering the optical system. The optical system is also constructed such that the group velocity dispersion of light pulses passing through the system can be tuned to a desired value including negative group velocity dispersion.

Screening of micro-organisms for decolorization of melanins produced by bluestain fungi.

PubMed

Rättö, M; Chatani, M; Ritschkoff, A C; Viikari, L

2001-03-01

A total of 17 fungi and four bacteria were screened for their ability to decolorize melanin, using isolated extracellular melanin of the bluestain fungus Aureobasidium pullulans as substrate. On agar media, decolorization was observed by four fungal strains: Bjerkandera adusta VTT-D-99746, Galactomyces geotrichum VTT-D-84228, Trametes hirsuta VTT-D-95443 and Trametes versicolor VTT-D-99747. The four fungi were more efficient on nitrogen-limited medium than on complete medium. The melanin-decolorizing activity of G. geotrichum appeared to be located on the mycelium and could be liberated into the medium enzymatically.

Public health. Street smart.

PubMed

Edwards, Nick

2003-05-15

It can be difficult to reach people in their teens and early 20s with overt public health messages. Borrowing some of the messages and mediums of 'alternative culture' marketing can be more effective. It is possible to organise large-scale events cheaply with the right funding and entertainment partners.

Hybrid Electric Vehicle Publications | Transportation Research | NREL

Science.gov Websites

evaluations. Delivery Vehicles Cross-Cutting Publications Battery Ownership Model: Medium-Duty HEV Battery . (2015) Coca-Cola Delivery Trucks Coca-Cola Refreshments Class 8 Hybrid Electric Tractor Evaluation: 13 Dynamometer Evaluation and Comparison of Class 7 Hybrid Electric and Conventional Diesel Delivery Trucks

Removing adsorbed heavy metal ions from sand surfaces via applying interfacial properties of rhamnolipid.

PubMed

Haryanto, Bode; Chang, Chien-Hsiang

2015-01-01

In this study, the interfacial properties of biosurfactant rhamnolipid were investigated and were applied to remove adsorbed heavy metal ions from sand surfaces with flushing operations. The surface tension-lowering activity, micelle charge characteristic, and foaming ability of rhamnolipid were identified first. For rhamnolipid in water, the negatively charged characteristic of micelles or aggregates was confirmed and the foaming ability at concentrations higher than 40 mg/L was evaluated. By using the rhamnolipid solutions in a batch washing approach, the potential of applying the interfacial properties of rhamnolipid to remove adsorbed copper ions from sand surfaces was then demonstrated. In rhamnolipid solution flushing operations for sand-packed medium, higher efficiency was found for the removal of adsorbed copper ions with residual type than with inner-sphere interaction type, implying the important role of interaction type between the copper ion and the sand surface in the removal efficiency. In addition, the channeling effect of rhamnolipid solution flow in the sand-packed medium was clearly observed in the solution flushing operations and was responsible for the low removal efficiency with low contact areas between solution and sand. By using rhamnolipid solution with foam to flush the sand-packed medium, one could find that the channeling effect of the solution flow was reduced and became less pronounced with the increase in the rhamnolipid concentration, or with the enhanced foaming ability. With the reduced channeling effect in the flushing operations, the removal efficiency for adsorbed copper ions was significantly improved. The results suggested that the foam-enhanced rhamnolipid solution flushing operation was efficient in terms of surfactant usage and operation time.

Separating biological cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brooks, D. E.

1979-01-01

Technique utilizing electric field to promote biological cell separation from suspending medium in zero gravity increases speed, reduces sedimentation, and improves efficiency of separation in normal gravity.

Traffic-Adaptive, Flow-Specific Medium Access for Wireless Networks

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

hybrid, contention and non-contention schemes are shown to be special cases. This work also compares the energy efficiency of centralized and distributed...solutions and proposes an energy efficient version of traffic-adaptive CWS-MAC that includes an adaptive sleep cycle coordinated through the use of...preamble sampling. A preamble sampling probability parameter is introduced to manage the trade-off between energy efficiency and throughput and delay

Efficient and reproducible in vitro regeneration of Solanum lycopersicum and assessment genetic uniformity using flow cytometry and SPAR methods.

PubMed

Alatar, Abdulrahman A; Faisal, Mohammad; Abdel-Salam, Eslam M; Canto, Tomas; Saquib, Quaiser; Javed, Saad B; El-Sheikh, Mohamed A; Al-Khedhairy, Abdulaziz A

2017-09-01

In the present study, we develop an efficient and reproducible in vitro regeneration system for two cultivars viz. , Jamila and Tomaland of Solanum lycopersicum L., an economically important vegetable crop throughout the world. Sterilization of seeds with 2.5% (v/v) NaOCl was found to be most effective, about 97% of seeds germinated on cotton in magenta box moistened with sterile half strength (½)Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Regeneration efficiency of cotyledonary leaf (CL) and cotyledonary node (CN) explants derived from 08 days old aseptic seedling were assessed on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of auxins and cytokinin. CL explants were found more responsive in comparison to CN in both the cultivars. Types of basal media were also assessed and found to have a significant effect on shoot regeneration. Highest regeneration frequency and maximum number of shoots were standardized from CL explants on MS medium supplied with 6-benzyl adenine (BA; 5.0 µM), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 2.5 µM) and Kinetin (Kin; 10.0 µM). In vitro regenerated microshoots were rooted on ½MS medium containing 0.5 µM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Regenerated plantlets with well-developed roots and shoot system were successfully acclimated to ex vitro condition. Genetic uniformity of tissue culture raised plantlets was first time evaluated using flow cytometry and single primer amplification reaction (SPAR) methods viz ., DAMD and ISSR. No significant changes in ploidy level and nuclear DNA content profile were observed between in vitro propagated plants and normal plants of both the cultivars. Similarly, the SPAR analysis also revealed monomorphic banding patterns in regenerated plantlets of S. lycopersicum verifying their genetic uniformity and clonal fidelity. This efficient regeneration system can be used as a fast and reproducible method for genetic transformation of this important vegetable crop.

Effective role of medium supplementation in microalgal lipid accumulation.

PubMed

Fazeli Danesh, Azadeh; Mooij, Peter; Ebrahimi, Sirous; Kleerebezem, Robbert; van Loosdrecht, Mark

2018-05-01

The present study investigated the interaction between starch and lipid accumulation in a green microalgae enrichment culture. The objective was to optimize the lipid content by manipulation of the medium in regular batch culture. Two medium designs were evaluated: First a high ortho-P concentration with vitamin supplementary (Pi-vitamins supplemented medium), second normal growth medium (control). Both media contained a low amount of nitrogen which was consumed during batch growth in three days. The batch experiments continued for another 4 days with the absence of soluble nitrogen in the medium. When the mixed microalgal culture was incubated in the Pi-vitamin supplemented medium, the lipid, and starch content of the culture increased within the first 3 days to 102.0 ± 5.2 mg/L (12.7 ± 0.6% of DW) and 31.7 ± 1.6 mg/L (4.0 ± 0.2% of DW), respectively. On the last day of the experiment, the lipid, and starch content in Pi-vitamin medium increased to 663.1 ± 32.5 mg/L (33.4 ± 1.6% of DW) and 127.5 ± 5.2 mg/L (6.4 ± 0.3% of DW). However, the lipid and starch content in the control process, reached to 334.7 ± 16.4 mg/L (20.1 ± 1.0% of DW) and 94.3 ± 4.6 mg/L (5.7 ± 0.3% of DW), respectively. The high Pi-vitamin medium induced storing lipid formation clearly while the starch formation was not affected. The lipid contents reported here are among the high reported in the literature, note that already under full growth conditions significant lipid levels occurred in the algal enrichment culture. The high lipid productivity of the reported mixed microalgae culture provides an efficient route for efficient algal biodiesel production. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Efficiency Analysis of Public Universities in Thailand

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kantabutra, Saranya; Tang, John C. S.

2010-01-01

This paper examines the performance of Thai public universities in terms of efficiency, using a non-parametric approach called data envelopment analysis. Two efficiency models, the teaching efficiency model and the research efficiency model, are developed and the analysis is conducted at the faculty level. Further statistical analyses are also…

High efficiency induction of callus and regeneration of sporophytes of Laminaria japonica (Phaeophyta)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xi-Hua; Qin, Song; Li, Xin-Ping; Jiang, Peng; Zeng, Cheng-Kui; Qin, Mei

1998-03-01

Four media (PESI solid, MS liquid, MS solid and ASP-C-I solid medium) were used to induce callus from excised tissues of the kelp Laminaria japonica. Only PESI solid medium and MS solid medium produced calli. Modified MS solid medium supplemented with mannitol (3%,W/V), yeast extract (0.1%, W/V), VB2 (0.5 mg/ml), VB12 (0.5 mg/ml), kinetin (0.108 μg/ml) and NAA (1.860μg/ml) showed much better effect on callus induction than non-modified MS solid medium. After 24 days of induction 75.5% of tissues in PESI solid medium showed callus formation. For modified MS solid medium, after three months of induction 67.3% of tissues dedifferentiated into calli. No callus could be found after five months of induction in either MS liquid or ASP-C-I solid medium. When calli were squashed and cultured in N-P enriched autoclaved seawater, MS liquid medium and ASP12-NTA liquid medium (both modified with kelp extract), differentiation of cells and regeneration of sporophytes were only observed in ASP12-NTA medium supplemented with kelp extract. Gametophyte-like filaments formed first, then eggs were released. It was suggested that sporophyte formation could be a process of parthenogenesis. Sterilization techniques in tissue culture of L. japonica were also tested in this study.

Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (81st, Baltimore, Maryland, August 5-8, 1988). Public Relations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

The Public Relations section of the Proceedings contains the following 15 papers: "The World Wide Web as a Public Relations Medium: The Use of Research, Planning, and Evaluation by Web Site Decision-Makers" (Candace White and Niranjan Raman); "Enlightened Self Interest--An Ethical Baseline for Teaching Corporate Public…

Transformer Efficiency Assessment - Okinawa, Japan

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thomas L. Baldwin; Robert J. Turk; Kurt S. Myers

The US Army Engineering & Support Center, Huntsville (USAESCH), and the US Marine Corps Base (MCB), Okinawa, Japan retained Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to conduct a Transformer Efficiency Assessment of “key” transformers located at multiple military bases in Okinawa, Japan. The purpose of this assessment is to support the Marine Corps Base, Okinawa in evaluating medium voltage distribution transformers for potential efficiency upgrades. The original scope of work included the MCB providing actual transformer nameplate data, manufacturer’s factory test sheets, electrical system data (kWh), demand data (kWd), power factor data, and electricity cost data. Unfortunately, the MCB’s actual data ismore » not available and therefore making it necessary to de-scope the original assessment. Note: Any similar nameplate data, photos of similar transformer nameplates, and basic electrical details from one-line drawings (provided by MCB) are not a replacement for actual load loss test data. It is recommended that load measurements are performed on the high and low sides of transformers to better quantify actual load losses, demand data, and power factor data. We also recommend that actual data, when available, be inserted by MCB Okinawa where assumptions have been made and then the LCC analysis updated. This report covers a generalized assessment of modern U.S. transformers in a three level efficiency category, Low-Level efficiency, Medium-Level efficiency, and High-Level efficiency.« less

Transformer Efficiency Assessment - Okinawa, Japan

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thomas L. Baldwin; Robert J. Turk; Kurt S. Myers

2012-05-01

The US Army Engineering & Support Center, Huntsville (USAESCH), and the US Marine Corps Base (MCB), Okinawa, Japan retained Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to conduct a Transformer Efficiency Assessment of “key” transformers located at multiple military bases in Okinawa, Japan. The purpose of this assessment is to support the Marine Corps Base, Okinawa in evaluating medium voltage distribution transformers for potential efficiency upgrades. The original scope of work included the MCB providing actual transformer nameplate data, manufacturer’s factory test sheets, electrical system data (kWh), demand data (kWd), power factor data, and electricity cost data. Unfortunately, the MCB’s actual data ismore » not available and therefore making it necessary to de-scope the original assessment. Note: Any similar nameplate data, photos of similar transformer nameplates, and basic electrical details from one-line drawings (provided by MCB) are not a replacement for actual load loss test data. It is recommended that load measurements are performed on the high and low sides of transformers to better quantify actual load losses, demand data, and power factor data. We also recommend that actual data, when available, be inserted by MCB Okinawa where assumptions have been made and then the LCC analysis updated. This report covers a generalized assessment of modern U.S. transformers in a three level efficiency category, Low-Level efficiency, Medium-Level efficiency, and High-Level efficiency.« less

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.).

PubMed

Petri, César; Alburquerque, Nuria; Burgos, Lorenzo

2015-01-01

A protocol for Agrobacterium-mediated stable transformation of whole leaf explants of the apricot (Prunus armeniaca) cultivars 'Helena' and 'Canino' is described. Regenerated buds were selected using a two-step selection strategy with paromomycin sulfate and transferred to bud multiplication medium 1 week after they were detected for optimal survival. After buds were transferred to bud multiplication medium, antibiotic was changed to kanamycin and concentration increased gradually at each transfer to fresh medium in order to eliminate possible escapes and chimeras. Transformation efficiency, based on PCR analysis of individual putative transformed shoots from independent lines, was 5.6%. Green and healthy buds, surviving high kanamycin concentration, were transferred to shoot multiplication medium where they elongated in shoots and proliferated. Elongated transgenic shoots were rooted in a medium containing 70 μM kanamycin. Rooted plants were acclimatized following standard procedures. This constitutes the only transformation protocol described for apricot clonal tissues and one of the few of Prunus.

High peak-power kilohertz laser system employing single-stage multi-pass amplification

DOEpatents

Shan, Bing; Wang, Chun; Chang, Zenghu

2006-05-23

The present invention describes a technique for achieving high peak power output in a laser employing single-stage, multi-pass amplification. High gain is achieved by employing a very small "seed" beam diameter in gain medium, and maintaining the small beam diameter for multiple high-gain pre-amplification passes through a pumped gain medium, then leading the beam out of the amplifier cavity, changing the beam diameter and sending it back to the amplifier cavity for additional, high-power amplification passes through the gain medium. In these power amplification passes, the beam diameter in gain medium is increased and carefully matched to the pump laser's beam diameter for high efficiency extraction of energy from the pumped gain medium. A method of "grooming" the beam by means of a far-field spatial filter in the process of changing the beam size within the single-stage amplifier is also described.

Use of Gifu Anaerobic Medium for culturing 32 dominant species of human gut microbes and its evaluation based on short-chain fatty acids fermentation profiles.

PubMed

Gotoh, Aina; Nara, Misaki; Sugiyama, Yuta; Sakanaka, Mikiyasu; Yachi, Hiroyuki; Kitakata, Aya; Nakagawa, Akira; Minami, Hiromichi; Okuda, Shujiro; Katoh, Toshihiko; Katayama, Takane; Kurihara, Shin

2017-10-01

Recently, a "human gut microbial gene catalogue," which ranks the dominance of microbe genus/species in human fecal samples, was published. Most of the bacteria ranked in the catalog are currently publicly available; however, the growth media recommended by the distributors vary among species, hampering physiological comparisons among the bacteria. To address this problem, we evaluated Gifu anaerobic medium (GAM) as a standard medium. Forty-four publicly available species of the top 56 species listed in the "human gut microbial gene catalogue" were cultured in GAM, and out of these, 32 (72%) were successfully cultured. Short-chain fatty acids from the bacterial culture supernatants were then quantified, and bacterial metabolic pathways were predicted based on in silico genomic sequence analysis. Our system provides a useful platform for assessing growth properties and analyzing metabolites of dominant human gut bacteria grown in GAM and supplemented with compounds of interest.

Attitudes about OCLC in Small and Medium-Sized Libraries. Illinois Valley Library System OCLC Experimental Project. Report No. 4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bills, Linda G.; Wilford, Valerie

A project was conducted from 1980 to 1982 to determine the costs and benefits of OCLC use in 29 small and medium-sized member libraries of the Illinois Valley Library System (IVLS). Academic, school, public, and special libraries participated in the project. Based on written attitude surveys of and interviews with library directors, staff,…

Participation in the ISO Key Project - IPAC Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lo, Kwok-Yung

2001-01-01

This program used guaranteed ISO time to observe the interstellar medium in nearby galaxies. The goals of the program are to determine the origin of the infrared emission, to quantify the physical conditions of the interstellar medium, and to study the heating and physical properties of interstellar dust. This program has been carried out successfully, and produced a number of publications reporting the results.

Nanoparticle-supported and magnetically recoverable ruthenium hydroxide catalyst: efficient hydration of nitriles to amides in aqueous medium.

PubMed

Polshettiwar, Vivek; Varma, Rajender S

2009-01-01

Magnetic attraction not filtration: A magnetic nanoparticle-supported ruthenium hydroxide catalyst (see figure) was readily prepared from inexpensive starting materials and shown to catalyze the hydration of nitriles with excellent yield in a benign aqueous medium. Catalyst recovery using an external magnetic field, superior activity, and the inherent stability of the catalyst system are additional sustainable attributes of this protocol.

New results for temperature rise in gain medium of operating DPAL causing its degradation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhdanov, B. V.; Rotondaro, M. D.; Shaffer, M. K.; Knize, R. J.

2017-10-01

Diode Pumped Alkali Laser (DPAL) is one of the main candidates for development of a high power directed energy system producing laser beam from a single aperture with high spatial quality. Currently, several groups in the US and abroad demonstrated DPAL systems with kW level output power and efficiency higher than 50%. At the same time, the DPAL power scaling experiments revealed some limiting effects, which require detailed study to understand the nature of these effects and ways to mitigate them. Examples of such effects are output power degradation in time, alkali cell windows and gain medium contamination and damage that causes lasing efficiency decrease or even lasing termination. These problems can be connected to thermal effects, ionization, chemical interactions between the gain medium components and alkali cells materials. Study of all these and, possibly, other limiting effects and ways to mitigate them is very important for high power DPAL development. In this paper we present our new results of experiments on measurements of the temperature rise in the gain medium of operating DPAL leading to the output power degradation even before visible damage in the gain cell occurs. This degradation can be both recoverable and non-recoverable, depending on operation conditions and the system design.

Efficient Expression of Maltohexaose-Forming α-Amylase from Bacillus stearothermophilus in Brevibacillus choshinensis SP3 and Its Use in Maltose Production

PubMed Central

Duan, Xuguo

2017-01-01

The maltohexaose-forming, Ca2+-independent α-amylase gene from Bacillus stearothermophilus (AmyMH) was efficiently expressed in Brevibacillus choshinensis SP3. To improve the production of AmyMH in B. choshinensis SP3, the temperature and initial pH of culture medium were optimized. In addition, single-factor and response surface methodologies were pursued to optimize culture medium. Addition of proline to the culture medium significantly improved the production of recombinant α-amylase in B. choshinensis SP3. This improvement may result from improved cellular integrity of recombinant B. choshinensis SP3 in existence of proline. Culture medium optimization resulted in an 8-fold improvement in α-amylase yield, which reached 1.72 × 104 U·mL−1. The recombinant α-amylase was applied to the production of maltose on a laboratory scale. A maltose content of 90.72%, which could be classified as an extremely high maltose syrup, could be achieved using 15% (m/v) corn starch as the substrate. This study demonstrated that the B. choshinensis SP3 expression system was able to produce substantial quantities of recombinant α-amylase that has potential application in the starch industry. PMID:29250543

In vitro propagation and assessment of the genetic fidelity of Musa acuminata (AAA) cv. Vaibalhla derived from immature male flowers.

PubMed

Hrahsel, Lalremsiami; Basu, Adreeja; Sahoo, Lingaraj; Thangjam, Robert

2014-02-01

An efficient in vitro propagation method has been developed for the first time for Musa acuminata (AAA) cv. Vaibalhla, an economically important banana cultivar of Mizoram, India. Immature male flowers were used as explants. Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with plant growth regulators (PGRs) were used for the regeneration process. Out of different PGR combinations, MS medium supplemented with 2 mg L(-1) 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.5 mg L(-1) α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) was optimal for production of white bud-like structures (WBLS). On this medium, explants produced the highest number of buds per explant (4.30). The highest percentage (77.77) and number (3.51) of shoot formation from each explants was observed in MS medium supplemented with 2 mg L(-1) kinetin + 0.5 mg L(-1) NAA. While MS medium supplemented with a combination of 2 mg L(-1) BAP + 0.5 mg L(-1) NAA showed the maximum shoot length (14.44 cm). Rooting efficiency of the shoots was highest in the MS basal medium without any PGRs. The plantlets were hardened successfully in the greenhouse with 96% survival rate. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were employed to assess the genetic stability of in vitro regenerated plantlets of M. acuminata (AAA) cv. Vaibalhla. Eight RAPD and 8 ISSR primers were successfully used for the analysis from the 40 RAPD and 30 ISSR primers screened initially. The amplified products were monomorphic across all the regenerated plants and were similar to the mother plant. The present standardised protocol will find application in mass production, conservation and genetic transformation studies of this commercially important banana.

Animal component-free Agrobacterium tumefaciens cultivation media for better GMP-compliance increases biomass yield and pharmaceutical protein expression in Nicotiana benthamiana.

PubMed

Houdelet, Marcel; Galinski, Anna; Holland, Tanja; Wenzel, Kathrin; Schillberg, Stefan; Buyel, Johannes Felix

2017-04-01

Transient expression systems allow the rapid production of recombinant proteins in plants. Such systems can be scaled up to several hundred kilograms of biomass, making them suitable for the production of pharmaceutical proteins required at short notice, such as emergency vaccines. However, large-scale transient expression requires the production of recombinant Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains with the capacity for efficient gene transfer to plant cells. The complex media often used for the cultivation of this species typically include animal-derived ingredients that can contain human pathogens, thus conflicting with the requirements of good manufacturing practice (GMP). We replaced all the animal-derived components in yeast extract broth (YEB) cultivation medium with soybean peptone, and then used a design-of-experiments approach to optimize the medium composition, increasing the biomass yield while maintaining high levels of transient expression in subsequent infiltration experiments. The resulting plant peptone Agrobacterium medium (PAM) achieved a two-fold increase in OD 600 compared to YEB medium during a 4-L batch fermentation lasting 18 h. Furthermore, the yields of the monoclonal antibody 2G12 and the fluorescent protein DsRed were maintained when the cells were cultivated in PAM rather than YEB. We have thus demonstrated a simple, efficient and scalable method for medium optimization that reduces process time and costs. The final optimized medium for the cultivation of A. tumefaciens completely lacks animal-derived components, thus facilitating the GMP-compliant large-scale transient expression of recombinant proteins in plants. © 2017 The Authors. Biotechnology Journal published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Novozyme 435-catalyzed efficient acylation of 3-n-butylphthalide in organic medium.

PubMed

He, Laping; Sun, Jiong; Xu, Yan; Sun, Zhihao; Zheng, Changge

2008-01-01

Novozyme 435 could catalyze efficient acylation of 3-n-butylphthalide in organic medium. The conversion of 3-n-butylphthalide increased with the increase of hydrophobicity of solvent below that of hexane. The more available solvent was hexane. Salt hydride could control fixed water activity. The optimum water activity was 0.62. And the optimum of reaction time, velocity of agitation, dosage of Novozyme 435 and acetic anhydride to 3-n-butylphtrhalide molar ratio were 48 hours, 150 rpm, 8 mg/mL and 8:1, respectively. The conversion of 48.9% could be obtained at a water activity of 0.62 in hexane. Furthermore, Novozyme 435 had an enantioselective acylation of racemic 3-n-butylphthalide by original analysis.

[Technical efficiency of traditional hospitals and public enterprises in Andalusia (Spain)].

PubMed

Herrero Tabanera, Luis; Martín Martín, José Jesús; López del Amo González, Ma del Puerto

2015-01-01

To assess the technical efficiency of traditional public hospitals without their own legal identity and subject to administrative law, and that of public enterprise hospitals, with their own legal identities and partly governed by private law, all of them belonging to the taxypayer-funded health system of Andalusia during the period 2005 -2008. The study included the 32 publicly-owned hospitals in Andalusia during the period 2005-2008. The method consisted of two stages. In the first stage, the indices of technical efficiency of the hospitals were calculated using Data Envelopment Analysis, and the change in total factor productivity was estimated using the Malmquist index. The results were compared according to perceived quality, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted through an auxiliary model and bootstrapping. In the second stage, a bivariate analysis was performed between hospital efficiency and organization type. Public enterprises were more efficient than traditional hospitals (on average by over 10%) in each of the study years. Nevertheless, a process of convergence was observed between the two types of organizations because, while the efficiency of traditional hospitals increased slightly (by 0.50%) over the study period, the performance of public enterprises declined by over 2%. The possible reasons for the greater efficiency of public enterprises include their greater budgetary and employment flexibility. However, the convergence process observed points to a process of mutual learning that is not necessarily efficient. Copyright © 2014 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Spermatogonial Culture Medium: An Effective and Efficient Nutrient Mixture for Culturing Rat Spermatogonial Stem Cells1

PubMed Central

Wu, Zhuoru; Falciatori, Ilaria; Molyneux, Laura A.; Richardson, Timothy E.; Chapman, Karen M.; Hamra, F. Kent

2009-01-01

An economical and simplified procedure to derive and propagate fully functional lines of undifferentiated rat spermatogonia in vitro is presented. The procedure is based on the formulation of a new spermatogonial culture medium termed SG medium. The SG medium is composed of a 1:1 mixture of Dulbecco modified Eagle medium:Ham F12 nutrient, 20 ng/ml of GDNF, 25 ng/ml of FGF2, 100 μM 2-mercaptoethanol, 6 mM l-glutamine, and a 1× concentration of B27 Supplement Minus Vitamin A solution. Using SG medium, six individual spermatogonial lines were derived from the testes of six separate Sprague-Dawley rats. After proliferating over a 120-day period in SG medium, stem cells within the spermatogonial cultures effectively regenerated spermatogenesis in testes of busulfan-treated recipient rats, which transmitted the donor cell haplotype to more than 75% of progeny by natural breeding. Subculturing in SG medium did not require protease treatment and was achieved by passaging the loosely bound spermatogonial cultures at 1:3 dilutions onto fresh monolayers of irradiated DR4 mouse fibroblasts every 12 days. Spermatogonial lines derived and propagated using SG medium were characterized as homogeneous populations of ZBTB16+ DAZL+ cells endowed with spermatogonial stem cell potential. PMID:19299316

Fluorometric Method for Determining the Efficiency of Spun-Glass Air Filtration Media

PubMed Central

Sullivan, James F.; Songer, Joseph R.; Mathis, Raymond G.

1967-01-01

The procedures and equipment needed to measure filtration efficiency by means of fluorescent aerosols are described. The filtration efficiency of individual lots of spun-glass air filtration medium or of entire air filtration systems employing such media was determined. Data relating to the comparative evaluation of spun-glass filter media by means of the fluorometric method described, as well as by conventional biological procedures, are presented. PMID:6031433

Transmission versus reflectance spectroscopy for quantitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gardner, Craig M.

2018-01-01

The objective of this work was to compare the accuracy of analyte concentration estimation when using transmission versus diffuse reflectance spectroscopy of a scattering medium. Monte Carlo ray tracing of light through the medium was used in conjunction with pure component absorption spectra and Beer-Lambert absorption along each ray's pathlength to generate matched sets of pseudoabsorbance spectra, containing water and six analytes present in skin. PLS regression models revealed an improvement in accuracy when using transmission compared to reflectance for a range of medium thicknesses and instrument noise levels. An analytical expression revealed the source of the accuracy degradation with reflectance was due both to the reduced collection efficiency for a fixed instrument etendue and to the broad pathlength distribution that detected light travels in the medium before exiting from the incident side.

Small and medium power reactors 1987

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1987-12-01

This TECDOC follows the publication of TECDOC-347: Small and Medium Power Reactors (SMPR) Project Initiation Study, Phase 1, published in 1985 and TECDOC-376: Small and Medium Power Reactors 1985 published in 1986. It is mainly intended for decision makers in Developing Member States interested in embarking on a nuclear power program. It consists of two parts: (1) guidelines for the introduction of small and medium power reactors in developing countries. These Guidelines were established during the Advisory Group Meeting held in Vienna from 11 to 15 May 1987. Their purpose is to review key aspects relating to the introduction of small and medium power reactors in developing countries; (2) up-dated information on SMPR Concepts Contributed by Supplier Industries. According to the recommendations of the Second Technical Committee Meeting on SMPRs held in Vienna in March 1985, this part contains the up-dated information formerly published in Annex 1 of the above mentioned TECDOC-347.

Screening of Ganoderma strains with high polysaccharides and ganoderic acid contents and optimization of the fermentation medium by statistical methods.

PubMed

Wei, Zhen-hua; Duan, Ying-yi; Qian, Yong-qing; Guo, Xiao-feng; Li, Yan-jun; Jin, Shi-he; Zhou, Zhong-Xin; Shan, Sheng-yan; Wang, Chun-ru; Chen, Xue-Jiao; Zheng, Yuguo; Zhong, Jian-Jiang

2014-09-01

Polysaccharides and ganoderic acids (GAs) are the major bioactive constituents of Ganoderma species. However, the commercialization of their production was limited by low yield in the submerged culture of Ganoderma despite improvement made in recent years. In this work, twelve Ganoderma strains were screened to efficiently produce polysaccharides and GAs, and Ganoderma lucidum 5.26 (GL 5.26) that had been never reported in fermentation process was found to be most efficient among the tested stains. Then, the fermentation medium was optimized for GL 5.26 by statistical method. Firstly, glucose and yeast extract were found to be the optimum carbon source and nitrogen source according to the single-factor tests. Ferric sulfate was found to have significant effect on GL 5.26 biomass production according to the results of Plackett-Burman design. The concentrations of glucose, yeast extract and ferric sulfate were further optimized by response surface methodology. The optimum medium composition was 55 g/L of glucose, 14 g/L of yeast extract, 0.3 g/L of ferric acid, with other medium components unchanged. The optimized medium was testified in the 10-L bioreactor, and the production of biomass, IPS, total GAs and GA-T enhanced by 85, 27, 49 and 93 %, respectively, compared to the initial medium. The fermentation process was scaled up to 300-L bioreactor; it showed good IPS (3.6 g/L) and GAs (670 mg/L) production. The biomass was 23.9 g/L in 300-L bioreactor, which was the highest biomass production in pilot scale. According to this study, the strain GL 5.26 showed good fermentation property by optimizing the medium. It might be a candidate industrial strain by further process optimization and scale-up study.

43 CFR Appendix A to Part 418 - Calculation of Efficiency Equation

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 43 Public Lands: Interior 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Calculation of Efficiency Equation A Appendix A to Part 418 Public Lands: Interior Regulations Relating to Public Lands BUREAU OF RECLAMATION.... 418, App. A Appendix A to Part 418—Calculation of Efficiency Equation ER18DE97.008 ER18DE97.009 ...

43 CFR Appendix A to Part 418 - Calculation of Efficiency Equation

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 43 Public Lands: Interior 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Calculation of Efficiency Equation A Appendix A to Part 418 Public Lands: Interior Regulations Relating to Public Lands BUREAU OF RECLAMATION.... 418, App. A Appendix A to Part 418—Calculation of Efficiency Equation ER18DE97.008 ER18DE97.009 ...

Comparing Efficiency of Public Universities among European Countries: Different Incentives Lead to Different Performances

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Agasisti, Tommaso; Haelermans, Carla

2016-01-01

This paper analyses the relationship between the public funding systems of higher education in Italy and the Netherlands and their universities' performances. Empirically, an efficiency analysis on 13 Dutch and 58 Italian public universities is conducted. The findings show that the relative efficiency of Italian and Dutch universities is strongly…

Monitoring the aeration efficiency and carbon footprint of a medium-sized WWTP: experimental results on oxidation tank and aerobic digester.

PubMed

Caivano, Marianna; Bellandi, Giacomo; Mancini, Ignazio M; Masi, Salvatore; Brienza, Rosanna; Panariello, Simona; Gori, Riccardo; Caniani, Donatella

2017-03-01

The efficiency of aeration systems should be monitored to guarantee suitable biological processes. Among the available tools for evaluating the aeration efficiency, the off-gas method is one of the most useful. Increasing interest towards reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from biological processes has resulted in researchers using this method to quantify N 2 O and CO 2 concentrations in the off-gas. Experimental measurements of direct GHG emissions from aerobic digesters (AeDs) are not available in literature yet. In this study, the floating hood technique was used for the first time to monitor AeDs. The floating hood technique was used to evaluate oxygen transfer rates in an activated sludge (AS) tank of a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Italy. Very low values of oxygen transfer efficiency were found, confirming that small-to-medium-sized plants are often scarcely monitored and wrongly managed. Average CO 2 and N 2 O emissions from the AS tank were 0.14 kg CO2 /kg bCOD and 0.007 kg CO2,eq /kg bCOD , respectively. For an AeD, 3 × 10 -10  kg CO2 /kg bCOD direct CO 2 emissions were measured, while CO 2,eq emissions from N 2 O were 4 × 10 -9  kg CO2,eq /kg bCOD . The results for the AS tank and the AeD were used to estimate the net carbon and energy footprint of the entire plant.

Magnetically recoverable Fe3O4/graphene nanocomposite towards efficient removal of triazine pesticides from aqueous solution: Investigation of the adsorption phenomenon and specific ion effect.

PubMed

Boruah, Purna K; Sharma, Bhagyasmeeta; Hussain, Najrul; Das, Manash R

2017-02-01

Spillage of effluents containing high concentration levels of pesticides into water has been considered as one of the serious environmental problems. In this study Fe 3 O 4 /reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite has been efficiently utilized for the adsorption of five harmful pesticides namely ametryn, prometryn, simazine, simeton and atrazine in an aqueous medium. Electrostatic interaction between the pesticides and Fe 3 O 4 /rGO nanocomposite was analyzed by the zeta potential analysis, which is strongly related to the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent. The kinetics parameters of adsorption followed the pseudo second-order linear model. The adsorption isotherm studies show that, the maximum adsorption capacity of 54.8 mg g -1 is achieved at pH 5 and it was enhanced in the presence of different ions (Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Na + and SO 4 2 ) and maximum (63.7 mg g -1 ) for ametryn adsorption was found in seawater medium. Thermodynamic parameter shows that, the adsorption process is physisorption and spontaneity in nature. The mechanism of the adsorption process was established by the DRIFT spectroscopy analysis. Efficient adsorption (93.61%) of pesticides was observed due to electrostatic, hydrophobic and π-π interactions of composite towards the heterocyclic conjugation of pesticide molecules. Further, Fe 3 O 4 /rGO nanocomposite was easily and rapidly separated from an aqueous medium using the external magnet for reuse and 88.66% adsorption efficiency was observed up to seven cycles. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficiency of perfectly matched layers for seismic wave modeling in second-order viscoelastic equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ping, Ping; Zhang, Yu; Xu, Yixian; Chu, Risheng

2016-12-01

In order to improve the perfectly matched layer (PML) efficiency in viscoelastic media, we first propose a split multi-axial PML (M-PML) and an unsplit convolutional PML (C-PML) in the second-order viscoelastic wave equations with the displacement as the only unknown. The advantage of these formulations is that it is easy and efficient to revise the existing codes of the second-order spectral element method (SEM) or finite-element method (FEM) with absorbing boundaries in a uniform equation, as well as more economical than the auxiliary differential equations PML. Three models which are easily suffered from late time instabilities are considered to validate our approaches. Through comparison the M-PML with C-PML efficiency of absorption and stability for long time simulation, it can be concluded that: (1) for an isotropic viscoelastic medium with high Poisson's ratio, the C-PML will be a sufficient choice for long time simulation because of its weak reflections and superior stability; (2) unlike the M-PML with high-order damping profile, the M-PML with second-order damping profile loses its stability in long time simulation for an isotropic viscoelastic medium; (3) in an anisotropic viscoelastic medium, the C-PML suffers from instabilities, while the M-PML with second-order damping profile can be a better choice for its superior stability and more acceptable weak reflections than the M-PML with high-order damping profile. The comparative analysis of the developed methods offers meaningful significance for long time seismic wave modeling in second-order viscoelastic wave equations.

16 CFR 321.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

..., mailer, book insert, free standing insert, letter, catalogue, poster, chart, billboard, public transit...-length commercial (“infomercial”), the Internet, cellular network, or any other medium. Promotional...

Electronic Identities: The Strategic Use of Email for Impression Management.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kersten, Larry; Phillips, Stephen R.

Traditionally, e-mail (electronic mail) has been seen as an efficient communications medium for the transmission of simple, routine, unambiguous messages. More recent research has argued that the simple, efficient view of e-mail is incomplete. Future research should be extended into the strategic and symbolic functions of email, such as the use of…

Cooperative use of advanced scanning technology for low-volume hardwood processors

Treesearch

Luis G. Occeña; Timothy J. Rayner; Daniel L. Schmoldt; A. Lynn Abbott

2001-01-01

Of the several hundreds of hardwood lumber sawmills across the country, the majority are small- to medium-sized facilities operated as small businesses in rural communities. Trends of increased log costs and limited availability are forcing wood processors to become more efficient in their operations. Still, small mills are less able to adopt new, more efficient...

Bibliography of Reports, Journal Articles, Books, and Book Chapters Approved for Public Release: FY93

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-01

develop new, useful knowledge while refining technology to address people-related issues . This dual expertise permits the Center to develop the...indicate that, although statistically significant medium effects were found on some content areas, medium of administration did not affect the reliability...Segall, D. 0. (1993). Arithmetic reasoning gender differences: Explanations found in the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Learning and

Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Calendar: A Case Analysis of Faculty, Students and Administrative Opinions in a Medium-Sized Public Community College. Report 78-79-02.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parrish, Richard M.; Pascale, Marie

After reviewing types of college calendars (traditional semester, early semester, trimester, and quarter) and previous research on the use of various school calendars, this paper describes a survey conducted by Ocean County College, a medium-sized college currently using a traditional semester calendar, to determine the views of students, faculty,…

Use of care management practices in small- and medium-sized physician groups: do public reporting of physician quality and financial incentives matter?

PubMed

Alexander, Jeffrey A; Maeng, Daniel; Casalino, Lawrence P; Rittenhouse, Diane

2013-04-01

To examine the effect of public reporting (PR) and financial incentives tied to quality performance on the use of care management practices (CMPs) among small- and medium-sized physician groups. Survey data from The National Study of Small and Medium-sized Physician Practices were used. Primary data collection was also conducted to assess community-level PR activities. The final sample included 643 practices engaged in quality reporting; about half of these practices were subject to PR. We used a treatment effects model. The instrumental variables were the community-level variables that capture the level of PR activity in each community in which the practices operate. (1) PR is associated with increased use of CMPs, but the estimate is not statistically significant; (2) financial incentives are associated with greater use of CMPs; (3) practices' awareness/sensitivity to quality reports is positively related to their use of CMPs; and (4) combined PR and financial incentives jointly affect CMP use to a greater degree than either of these factors alone. Small- to medium-sized practices appear to respond to PR and financial incentives by greater use of CMPs. Future research needs to investigate the appropriate mix and type of incentive arrangements and quality reporting. © Health Research and Educational Trust.

Computer program for thin-wire structures in a homogeneous conducting medium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richmond, J. H.

1974-01-01

A computer program is presented for thin-wire antennas and scatters in a homogeneous conducting medium. The anaylsis is performed in the real or complex frequency domain. The program handles insulated and bare wires with finite conductivity and lumped loads. The output data includes the current distribution, impedance, radiation efficiency, gain, absorption cross section, scattering cross section, echo area and the polarization scattering matrix. The program uses sinusoidal bases and Galerkin's method.

Using Constant Time Delay to Teach Braille and the Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science Notation to Students Making the Transition from Print to Braille

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ivy, Sarah E.; Hooper, Jonathan D.

2015-01-01

Introduction: Many students with adventitious vision loss or progressive vision loss need to transition from print to braille as a primary literacy medium. It is important that this transition is handled efficiently so that the student can have continued access to a literacy medium and make progress in the core curriculum. For this study, we used…

The Relative Efficiency of Charter Schools: A Cost Frontier Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gronberg, Timothy J.; Jansen, Dennis W.; Taylor, Lori L.

2012-01-01

Charters represent an expansion of public school choice, offering free, publicly funded educational alternatives to traditional public schools. One relatively unexplored research question concerning charter schools asks whether charter schools are more efficient suppliers of educational services than are traditional public schools. The potential…

26 CFR 601.702 - Publication, public inspection, and specific requests for records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

...), tape, or other electronic medium using equipment currently in use by the office or offices processing...., social security number or employer identification number), subject matter, location, and years at issue... disseminating information, if not a full-time representative of the news media, as defined in paragraph (f)(3...

26 CFR 601.702 - Publication, public inspection, and specific requests for records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

...), tape, or other electronic medium using equipment currently in use by the office or offices processing...., social security number or employer identification number), subject matter, location, and years at issue... disseminating information, if not a full-time representative of the news media, as defined in paragraph (f)(3...

26 CFR 601.702 - Publication, public inspection, and specific requests for records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

...), tape, or other electronic medium using equipment currently in use by the office or offices processing...., social security number or employer identification number), subject matter, location, and years at issue... disseminating information, if not a full-time representative of the news media, as defined in paragraph (f)(3...

Diving into the Letters in Poems: Creating Poetry Banners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Godston, Daniel

2006-01-01

Fifth grade students explore the public and private dimensions of poetry through the medium of poetry banners. The author maintains that poetry belongs in public spaces and serves as a counter to the "junk text" that surrounds us. A poetry banner is a nice addition to other banners and messages that students, teachers, school…

Constitution or Conformity: When the Shirt Hits the Fan in Public Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weisenberger, Clay

2000-01-01

Examines message T-Shirts as a medium for student expression and the ability of public schools to regulate those messages. Predicts that as violence and insolence increase in schools, courts will probably continue to defer to school authorities and let them handle their own problems. (77 footnotes). (MLF)

The Changing Role in Children's Work in Public Libraries. Issues & Answers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Detroit Public Library, MI.

The five papers in this collection were presented to a group of Directors and Coordinators of Children's Work representing large, medium, and county public libraries, as well as representatives from state libraries and library schools, who attended the President's Preconference. Topics presented include (1) a review of the development of…

In vitro propagation of two Iranian commercial pomegranates (Punica granatum L.) cvs. 'Malas Saveh' and 'Yusef Khani'.

PubMed

Valizadehkaji, Babak; Ershadi, Ahmad; Tohidfar, Masoud

2013-10-01

An efficient in vitro propagation is described for Punica granatum L. using shoot tip and nodal explants. The influence of two basal medium, WPM and MS, and different plant growth regulators was investigated on micropropagation of the Iranian pomegranate cultivars, 'Malas Saveh' and 'Yousef Khani'. For proliferation stage, media supplemented with different concentrations (2.3, 4.7, 9.2 and 18.4 μM) of kinetin along with 0.54 μM NAA was used. WPM proved to be more efficient medium compared to MS. The best concentrations of kinetin were 4.7 μM for 'Malas Saveh' and 9.2 μM for 'Yousef Khani', resulting in the highest number of shoots per explants, shoot length and leaf number. For both cultivars, half-strength WPM medium supplemented with 5.4 μM NAA was most effective for rooting of shoots. Rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatized and transferred into soil. The micropropagated plants were morphologically uniform and exhibited similar growth characteristics and vegetative morphology to the mother plants.

Air-coupled acoustic radiation force for non-contact generation of broadband mechanical waves in soft media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ambroziński, Łukasz; Pelivanov, Ivan; Song, Shaozhen; Yoon, Soon Joon; Li, David; Gao, Liang; Shen, Tueng T.; Wang, Ruikang K.; O'Donnell, Matthew

2016-07-01

A non-contact method for efficient, non-invasive excitation of mechanical waves in soft media is proposed, in which we focus an ultrasound (US) signal through air onto the surface of a medium under study. The US wave reflected from the air/medium interface provides radiation force to the medium surface that launches a transient mechanical wave in the transverse (lateral) direction. The type of mechanical wave is determined by boundary conditions. To prove this concept, a home-made 1 MHz piezo-ceramic transducer with a matching layer to air sends a chirped US signal centered at 1 MHz to a 1.6 mm thick gelatin phantom mimicking soft biological tissue. A phase-sensitive (PhS)-optical coherence tomography system is used to track/image the mechanical wave. The reconstructed transient displacement of the mechanical wave in space and time demonstrates highly efficient generation, thus offering great promise for non-contact, non-invasive characterization of soft media, in general, and for elasticity measurements in delicate soft tissues and organs in bio-medicine, in particular.

Air-coupled acoustic radiation force for non-contact generation of broadband mechanical waves in soft media

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ambroziński, Łukasz; AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow 30059; Pelivanov, Ivan, E-mail: ivanp3@uw.edu

A non-contact method for efficient, non-invasive excitation of mechanical waves in soft media is proposed, in which we focus an ultrasound (US) signal through air onto the surface of a medium under study. The US wave reflected from the air/medium interface provides radiation force to the medium surface that launches a transient mechanical wave in the transverse (lateral) direction. The type of mechanical wave is determined by boundary conditions. To prove this concept, a home-made 1 MHz piezo-ceramic transducer with a matching layer to air sends a chirped US signal centered at 1 MHz to a 1.6 mm thick gelatin phantom mimicking softmore » biological tissue. A phase-sensitive (PhS)-optical coherence tomography system is used to track/image the mechanical wave. The reconstructed transient displacement of the mechanical wave in space and time demonstrates highly efficient generation, thus offering great promise for non-contact, non-invasive characterization of soft media, in general, and for elasticity measurements in delicate soft tissues and organs in bio-medicine, in particular.« less

The second law of thermodynamics and quantum heat engines: Is the law strictly enforced?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keefe, Peter D.

2010-01-01

A quantum heat engine is a construct having a working medium which is cyclically processed through a pair of control variables of state involving a Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in which a heat input is converted into a work output. Of interest is a first species of quantum heat engine in which the working medium is macroscopic in the sense the size scale is sufficiently large that the BEC is not volumetrically coherent. In this first species of quantum heat engine, near Carnot efficiencies may be possible. Of particular interest is a second species of quantum heat engine in which the working medium is mesoscopic in the sense that the size scale is sufficiently small that the BEC is volumetrically coherent. In this second species of quantum heat engine, the resulting in-process non-equilibrium condition affects the finally arrived at control variables of state such that Carnot efficiencies and beyond may be possible. A Type I superconductor is used to model the first and second species of quantum heat engine.

Energy efficiency public service advertising campaign

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gibson-Grant, Amanda

The Advertising Council (“the Ad Council”) and The United States Department of Energy (DOE) created and launched a national public service advertising campaign designed to promote energy efficiency. The objective of the Energy Efficiency campaign was to redefine how consumers approach energy efficiency by showing that saving energy can save homeowners money.

Efficient production of flavonoids in Fagopyrum tataricum hairy root cultures with yeast polysaccharide elicitation and medium renewal process

PubMed Central

Zhao, Jiang-Lin; Zou, Liang; Zhang, Cai-Qiong; Li, Yuan-Yuan; Peng, Lian-Xin; Xiang, Da-Bing; Zhao, Gang

2014-01-01

Background: Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum), an excellent edible and medicinal crop, has been widely used as a daily diet and traditional medicine for a long time. The major functional components of Fagopyrum tataricum have been demonstrated to be flavonoids (i.e. rutin and quercetin), which had notable andioxidant, antidiabetic, hypocholesterolemic and antitumor activities. Hairy root culture is a convenient and efficient plant tissue culture system for large scale production of bioactive metabolites. Objective: To enhance the functional flavonoids production in hairy root culture of F. tataricum. Materials and Methods: The elicitation treatment in combination with medium renewal strategy was applied for efficient promoting flavonoids production in F. tataricum hairy root cultures. Results: The exogenous yeast polysaccharide (YPS) elicitor notably stimulated the functional metabolites production in F. tataricum hairy root cultures, and the stimulation effect was concentration-dependent. Combination with the YPS elicitation (200 mg/L) and medium renewal process, the maximal flavonoids yield was enhanced to 47.13 mg/L, about 3.2-fold in comparison with the control culture of 14.88 mg/L. Moreover, this research also revealed the accumulation of these bioactive metabolites resulted from the stimulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway by YPS treatment. These results indicated that the F. tataricum hairy root culture could be an effective system for rutin and quercetin production. PMID:25210309

Utilization of squid pen for the efficient production of chitosanase and antioxidants through prolonged autoclave treatment.

PubMed

Wang, San-Lang; Wu, Pei-Chen; Liang, Tzu-Wen

2009-05-26

We have developed a culture system for efficient production of chitosanase by Bacillus sp. TKU004. TKU004 was cultivated by using squid pen powder as the sole carbon/nitrogen source. The effects of autoclave treatments of the medium on the production of chitosanase were investigated. Autoclave treatment of squid pen powder for 45 min remarkably promoted enzyme productivity. When the culture medium containing an initial squid pen powder concentration of 3% was autoclaved for 45 min, the chitosanase activity was optimal and reached 0.14-0.16 U/mL. In addition, extracellular surfactant-stable chitosanase was purified from the TKU004 culture supernatant. The antioxidant activity of TKU004 culture supernatant was determined through the scavenging ability of DPPH, with 70% per mL. With this method, we have shown that marine wastes can be utilized efficiently through prolonged autoclave treatments to generate a high value-added product, and have revealed its hidden potential in the production of functional foods.

Quantitative structure activity relationships of some pyridine derivatives as corrosion inhibitors of steel in acidic medium.

PubMed

El Ashry, El Sayed H; El Nemr, Ahmed; Ragab, Safaa

2012-03-01

Quantum chemical calculations using the density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G DFT) and semi-empirical AM1 methods were performed on ten pyridine derivatives used as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in acidic medium to determine the relationship between molecular structure and their inhibition efficiencies. Quantum chemical parameters such as total negative charge (TNC) on the molecule, energy of highest occupied molecular orbital (E (HOMO)), energy of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (E (LUMO)) and dipole moment (μ) as well as linear solvation energy terms, molecular volume (Vi) and dipolar-polarization (π) were correlated to corrosion inhibition efficiency of ten pyridine derivatives. A possible correlation between corrosion inhibition efficiencies and structural properties was searched to reduce the number of compounds to be selected for testing from a library of compounds. It was found that theoretical data support the experimental results. The results were used to predict the corrosion inhibition of 24 related pyridine derivatives.

Efficient Permeability Measurement and Numerical Simulation of the Resin Flow in Low Permeability Preform Fabricated by Automated Dry Fiber Placement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agogue, Romain; Chebil, Naziha; Deleglise-Lagardere, Mylène; Beauchene, Pierre; Park, Chung Hae

2017-10-01

We propose a new experimental method using a Hassler cell and air injection to measure the permeability of fiber preform while avoiding a race tracking effect. This method was proven to be particularly efficient to measure very low through-thickness permeability of preform fabricated by automated dry fiber placement. To validate the reliability of the permeability measurement, the experiments of viscous liquid infusion into the preform with or without a distribution medium were performed. The experimental data of flow front advancement was compared with the numerical simulation result using the permeability values obtained by the Hassler cell permeability measurement set-up as well as by the liquid infusion experiments. To address the computational cost issue, the model for the equivalent permeability of distribution medium was employed in the numerical simulation of liquid flow. The new concept using air injection and Hassler cell for the fiber preform permeability measurement was shown to be reliable and efficient.

Factors influencing Agrobacterium-mediated embryogenic callus transformation of Valencia sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) containing the pTA29-barnase gene.

PubMed

Li, D D; Shi, W; Deng, X X

2003-12-01

Valencia sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) calluses were used as explants to develop a new transformation system for citrus mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Factors affecting Agrobacterium-mediated transformation efficiency included mode of pre-cultivation, temperature of cocultivation and presence of acetosyringone (AS). The highest transformation efficiency was obtained with a 4-day pre-cultivation period in liquid medium. Transformation efficiency was higher when cocultivation was performed for 3 days at 19 degrees C than at 23 or 28 degrees C. Almost no resistant callus was obtained if the cocultivation medium lacked AS. The transformation procedure yielded transgenic Valencia plants containing the pTA29-barnase gene, as verified by PCR amplification and confirmed by Southern blotting. Because male sterility is a common factor leading to seedlessness in citrus cultivars with parthenocarpic characteristics, production of seedless citrus genotypes by Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation is a promising alternative to conventional breeding methods.

Profiles of Regional Efficiency in Pakistan: Comparison of Public and Private Sector Manufacturing Firms

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-01

Public and Private Sector Manufacturing Firms 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e...REGIONAL EFFICIENCY IN PAKISTAN: COMPARISON OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR MANUFACTURING FIRMS by Robert E. Looney In an examination of the relative...efficiency in public and private sector enter- prises should be explored in more detail. In this vein the purpose of the analysis below is to examine the

Breast cancer screening (BCS) chart: a basic and preliminary model for making screening mammography more productive and efficient.

PubMed

Poorolajal, Jalal; Akbari, Mohammad Esmaeil; Ziaee, Fatane; Karami, Manoochehr; Ghoncheh, Mahshid

2017-05-15

The breast cancer screening (BCS) chart is suggested as a basic and preliminary tool to improve efficiency of screening mammography. We conducted this case-control study in 2016 and enrolled 1422 women aged 30-75 years, including 506 women with breast cancer (cases) and 916 women without breast cancer (controls). We developed the BCS chart using a multiple logistic regression analysis. We combined the risks of breast cancer to predict the individual risk of breast cancer. Then, we stratified and colored the predicted risk probabilities as follows: <05% (green), 05-09% (yellow), 10-14% (orange), 15-19% (red), 20-24% (brown) and ≥25% (black). The BCS chart provides the risk probability of breast cancer, based on age, body mass index, late menopause, having a benign breast disease and a positive family history of breast cancer among the first-degree or the second/third-degree relatives. According to this chart, an individual can be classified in a category of low risk (green), medium risk (yellow and orange), high risk (red and brown) and very high risk (black) for breast cancer. This chart is a flexible and easy to use tool that can detect high-risk subjects and make the screening program more efficient and productive. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

Resource efficiency and culture--workplace training for small and medium-sized enterprises.

PubMed

Bliesner, Anna; Liedtke, Christa; Rohn, Holger

2014-05-15

Although there are already some qualification offers available for enterprises to support resource efficiency innovations, the high potentials that can be identified especially for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have not been activated until now. As successful change lies in the hands of humans, the main aim of vocational education has to be the promotion of organisational and cultural changes in the enterprises. As there is already a small but increasing number of enterprises that perform very well in resource efficiency innovations one question arises: What are typical characteristics of those enterprises? Leaning on a good-practice approach, the project "ResourceCulture" is going to prove or falsify the hypothesis that enterprises being successful with resource efficiency innovations have a specific culture of trust, which substantially contributes to innovation processes, or even initially enables them. Detailed empirical field research will light up which correlations between resource efficiency, innovation and cultures of trust can be found and will offer important aspects for the improvement of management instruments and qualification concepts for workplace training. The project seizes qualification needs that were likewise mentioned by enterprises and consultants, regarding the implementation of resource efficiency. This article - based on first empirical field research results - derives preliminary indications for the design of the qualification module for the target groups resource efficiency consultants and managers. On this basis and in order to implement "ResourceCulture" conceptual and methodological starting points for workplace training are outlined. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cow dung extract: a medium for the growth of pseudomonads enhancing their efficiency as biofertilizer and biocontrol agent in rice.

PubMed

Srivastava, Rashmi; Aragno, Michel; Sharma, A K

2010-09-01

Some pseudomands are being utilized as biofertilizers and biopesticides because of their role in plant growth promotion and plant protection against root parasites, respectively. Two strains of Pseudomonas, P. jessenii LHRE62 and P. synxantha HHRE81, recovered from wheat rhizosphere, have shown their potential in field bioinoculation tests under rice-wheat and pulse-wheat rotation systems. Normally, pseudomonads are cultivated on synthetic media-like King's B and used for inoculation on seeds/soil drench with talcum or charcoal as carrier material. Cow dung is being used for different purposes from the ancient time and has a significant role in crop growth because of the content in humic compounds and fertilizing bioelements available in it. Here, cow dung extract was tested as a growth medium for strains LHRE62 and HHRE81, in comparison with growth in King's B medium. The log phase was delayed by 2 h as compared to growth in King's B medium. The bacterial growth yield, lower in plain cow dung extract as compared to King's B medium, was improved upon addition of different carbon substrates. Growth of rice var. Pant Dhan 4 in pot cultures was increased using liquid formulation of cow dung extract and bacteria as foliar spray, compared to their respective controls. Biocontrol efficacy of the bioagents was assessed by challenging rice crop with Rhizoctonia solani, a sheath blight pathogen. The growth promotion and biocontrol efficiencies were more pronounced in the case of mixed inocula of strains LHRE62 and HHRE81.

Comparing atrazine and cyanuric acid electro-oxidation on mixed oxide and boron-doped diamond electrodes.

PubMed

Malpass, Geoffroy R P; Salazar-Banda, Giancarlo R; Miwa, Douglas W; Machado, Sérgio A S; Motheo, Artur J

2013-01-01

The breakdown of pesticides has been promoted by many methods for clean up of contaminated soil and wastewaters. The main goal is to decrease the toxicity of the parent compound to achieve non-toxic compounds or even, when complete mineralization occurs, carbon dioxide and water. Therefore, electrochemical degradation (potentiostatic and galvanostatic) of both the pesticide atrazine and cyanuric acid (CA) at boron-doped diamond (BDD) and Ti/Ru0.3Ti0.7O2 dimensionally stable anode (DSA) electrodes, in different supporting electrolytes (NaCl and Na2SO4), is presented with the aim of establishing the influence of the operational parameters on the process efficiency. The results demonstrate that both the electrode material and the supporting electrolyte have a strong influence on the rate of atrazine removal. In the chloride medium, the rate of atrazine removal is always greater than in sulfate under all conditions employed. Furthermore, in the sulfate medium, atrazine degradation was significant only at the BDD electrode. The total organic carbon (TOC) load decreased by 79% and 56% at the BDD and DSA electrodes, respectively, in the chloride medium. This trend was maintained in the sulfate medium but the TOC removal was lower (i.e. 33% and 13% at BDD and DSA electrodes, respectively). CA, a stable atrazine degradation intermediate, was also studied and it is efficiently removed using the BDD electrode in both media, mainly when high current densities are employed. The use of the BDD electrode in the chloride medium not only degrades atrazine but also mineralized cyanuric acid leading to the higher TOC removal.

Liposome encapsulated soy lecithin and cholesterol can efficiently replace chicken egg yolk in human semen cryopreservation medium.

PubMed

Mutalik, Srinivas; Salian, Sujith Raj; Avadhani, Kiran; Menon, Jyothsna; Joshi, Haritima; Hegde, Aswathi Raju; Kumar, Pratap; Kalthur, Guruprasad; Adiga, Satish Kumar

2014-06-01

Cryopreservation of spermatozoa plays a significant role in reproductive medicine and fertility preservation. Chicken egg yolk is used as an extender in cryopreservation of human spermatozoa using glycerol egg yolk citrate (GEYC) buffered medium. Even though 50% survival of spermatozoa is generally achieved with this method, the risk of high levels of endotoxins and transmission pathogens from chicken egg yolk is a matter of concern. In the present study we attempted to establish a chemically defined cryopreservation medium which can replace the chicken egg yolk without affecting sperm survival. Ejaculates from 28 men were cryopreserved with GEYC based freezing medium or liposome encapsulated soy lecithin-cholesterol based freezing medium (LFM). The semen samples were subjected to rapid thawing after 14 days of storage in liquid nitrogen. Post-thaw analysis indicated significantly higher post-thaw motility and sperm survival in spermatozoa cryopreserved with LFM compared to conventional GEYC freezing medium. The soy lecithin and cholesterol at the ratio of 80:20 with sucrose showed the highest percentage of post-thaw motility and survival compared to the other compositions. In conclusion, chemically defined cryopreservation medium with liposome encapsulated soy lecithin and cholesterol can effectively replace the chicken egg yolk from human semen cryopreservation medium without compromising post-thaw outcome.

An Ultra-low-power Medium Access Control Protocol for Body Sensor Network.

PubMed

Li, Huaming; Tan, Jindong

2005-01-01

In this paper, a medium access control (MAC) protocol designed for Body Sensor Network (BSN-MAC) is proposed. BSN-MAC is an adaptive, feedback-based and IEEE 802.15.4-compatible MAC protocol. Due to the traffic coupling and sensor diversity characteristics of BSNs, common MAC protocols can not satisfy the unique requirements of the biomedical sensors in BSN. BSN-MAC exploits the feedback information from the deployed sensors to form a closed-loop control of the MAC parameters. A control algorithm is proposed to enable the BSN coordinator to adjust parameters of the IEEE 802.15.4 superframe to achieve both energy efficiency and low latency on energy critical nodes. We evaluate the performance of BSN-MAC using energy efficiency as the primary metric.

Photon-efficient super-resolution laser radar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Dongeek; Shapiro, Jeffrey H.; Goyal, Vivek K.

2017-08-01

The resolution achieved in photon-efficient active optical range imaging systems can be low due to non-idealities such as propagation through a diffuse scattering medium. We propose a constrained optimization-based frame- work to address extremes in scarcity of photons and blurring by a forward imaging kernel. We provide two algorithms for the resulting inverse problem: a greedy algorithm, inspired by sparse pursuit algorithms; and a convex optimization heuristic that incorporates image total variation regularization. We demonstrate that our framework outperforms existing deconvolution imaging techniques in terms of peak signal-to-noise ratio. Since our proposed method is able to super-resolve depth features using small numbers of photon counts, it can be useful for observing fine-scale phenomena in remote sensing through a scattering medium and through-the-skin biomedical imaging applications.

Two decades of reforms. Appraisal of the financial reforms in the Russian public healthcare sector.

PubMed

Gordeev, Vladimir S; Pavlova, Milena; Groot, Wim

2011-10-01

This paper reviews the empirical evidence on the outcomes of the financial reforms in the Russian public healthcare sector. A systematic literature review identified 37 relevant publications that presented empirical evidence on changes in quality, equity, efficiency and sustainability in public healthcare provision due to the Russian public healthcare financial reforms. Evidence suggests that there are substantial inter-regional inequalities across income groups both in terms of financing and access to public healthcare services. There are large efficiency differences between regions, along with inter-regional variations in payment and reimbursement mechanisms. Informal and quasi-formal payments deteriorate access to public healthcare services and undermine the overall financing sustainability. The public healthcare sector is still underfinanced, although the implementation of health insurance gave some premises for future increases of efficiency. Overall, the available empirical data are not sufficient for an evidence-based evaluation of the reforms. More studies on the quality, equity, efficiency and sustainability impact of the reforms are needed. Future reforms should focus on the implementation of cost-efficiency and cost-control mechanisms; provide incentives for better allocation and distribution of resources; tackle problems in equity in access and financing; implement a system of quality controls; and stimulate healthy competition between insurance companies. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Transmission versus reflectance spectroscopy for quantitation.

PubMed

Gardner, Craig M

2018-01-01

The objective of this work was to compare the accuracy of analyte concentration estimation when using transmission versus diffuse reflectance spectroscopy of a scattering medium. Monte Carlo ray tracing of light through the medium was used in conjunction with pure component absorption spectra and Beer-Lambert absorption along each ray's pathlength to generate matched sets of pseudoabsorbance spectra, containing water and six analytes present in skin. PLS regression models revealed an improvement in accuracy when using transmission compared to reflectance for a range of medium thicknesses and instrument noise levels. An analytical expression revealed the source of the accuracy degradation with reflectance was due both to the reduced collection efficiency for a fixed instrument etendue and to the broad pathlength distribution that detected light travels in the medium before exiting from the incident side. (2018) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

Two-dimensional simulation of holographic data storage medium for multiplexed recording.

PubMed

Toishi, Mitsuru; Takeda, Takahiro; Tanaka, Kenji; Tanaka, Tomiji; Fukumoto, Atsushi; Watanabe, Kenjiro

2008-02-18

In this paper, we propose a new analysis model for photopolymer recording processes that calculate the two-dimensional refractive index distribution of multiplexed holograms. For the simulation of the photopolymer medium, time evolution of monomer diffusion and polymerization need to be calculated simultaneously. The distribution of the refractive index inside the medium is induced by these processes. By evaluating the refractive index pattern on each layer, the diffraction beams from the multiplexed hologram can be read out by beam propagation method (BPM). This is the first paper to determine the diffraction beam from a multiplexed hologram in a simulated photopolymer medium process. We analyze the time response of the multiplexed hologram recording processes in the photopolymer, and estimate the degradation of diffraction efficiency with multiplexed recording. This work can greatly contribute to understanding the process of hologram recording.

75 FR 31323 - Energy Efficiency Program: Energy Conservation Standards Furnace Fans: Public Meeting and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-03

.... EERE-2010-BT-STD-0011] RIN 1904-AC22 Energy Efficiency Program: Energy Conservation Standards Furnace Fans: Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and... Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE-2J, 1000 Independence...

The effects of physical activity on sleep: a meta-analytic review.

PubMed

Kredlow, M Alexandra; Capozzoli, Michelle C; Hearon, Bridget A; Calkins, Amanda W; Otto, Michael W

2015-06-01

A significant body of research has investigated the effects of physical activity on sleep, yet this research has not been systematically aggregated in over a decade. As a result, the magnitude and moderators of these effects are unclear. This meta-analytical review examines the effects of acute and regular exercise on sleep, incorporating a range of outcome and moderator variables. PubMed and PsycINFO were used to identify 66 studies for inclusion in the analysis that were published through May 2013. Analyses reveal that acute exercise has small beneficial effects on total sleep time, sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, stage 1 sleep, and slow wave sleep, a moderate beneficial effect on wake time after sleep onset, and a small effect on rapid eye movement sleep. Regular exercise has small beneficial effects on total sleep time and sleep efficiency, small-to-medium beneficial effects on sleep onset latency, and moderate beneficial effects on sleep quality. Effects were moderated by sex, age, baseline physical activity level of participants, as well as exercise type, time of day, duration, and adherence. Significant moderation was not found for exercise intensity, aerobic/anaerobic classification, or publication date. Results were discussed with regards to future avenues of research and clinical application to the treatment of insomnia.

Feasibility of biohydrogen production from industrial wastes using defined microbial co-culture.

PubMed

Chen, Peng; Wang, Yuxia; Yan, Lei; Wang, Yiqing; Li, Suyue; Yan, Xiaojuan; Wang, Ningbo; Liang, Ning; Li, Hongyu

2015-05-06

The development of clean or novel alternative energy has become a global trend that will shape the future of energy. In the present study, 3 microbial strains with different oxygen requirements, including Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824, Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047 and Kluyveromyces marxianus 15D, were used to construct a hydrogen production system that was composed of a mixed aerobic-facultative anaerobic-anaerobic consortium. The effects of metal ions, organic acids and carbohydrate substrates on this system were analyzed and compared using electrochemical and kinetic assays. It was then tested using small-scale experiments to evaluate its ability to convert starch in 5 L of organic wastewater into hydrogen. For the one-step biohydrogen production experiment, H1 medium (nutrient broth and potato dextrose broth) was mixed directly with GAM broth to generate H2 medium (H1 medium and GAM broth). Finally, Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824, Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047 and Kluyveromyces marxianus 15D of three species microbial co-culture to produce hydrogen under anaerobic conditions. For the two-step biohydrogen production experiment, the H1 medium, after cultured the microbial strains Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047 and Kluyveromyces marxianus 15D, was centrifuged to remove the microbial cells and then mixed with GAM broth (H2 medium). Afterward, the bacterial strain Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 was inoculated into the H2 medium to produce hydrogen by anaerobic fermentation. The experimental results demonstrated that the optimum conditions for the small-scale fermentative hydrogen production system were at pH 7.0, 35°C, a mixed medium, including H1 medium and H2 medium with 0.50 mol/L ferrous chloride, 0.50 mol/L magnesium sulfate, 0.50 mol/L potassium chloride, 1% w/v citric acid, 5% w/v fructose and 5% w/v glucose. The overall hydrogen production efficiency in the shake flask fermentation group was 33.7 mL/h(-1).L(-1), and those the two-step and the one-step processes of the small-scale fermentative hydrogen production system were 41.2 mL/h(-1).L(-1) and 35.1 mL/h(-1).L(-1), respectively. Therefore, the results indicate that the hydrogen production efficiency of the two-step process is higher than that of the one-step process.

Functionalized Media and Methods of Making and Using Therefor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huang, Yongsong (Inventor); Dillon, James (Inventor)

2017-01-01

Methods, compositions, devices and kits are provided herein for separating, scavenging, capturing or identifying a metal from a target using a medium or scaffold with a selenium-containing functional group. The medium or the scaffold including the selenium-containing functional group has affinity and specificity to metal ions or compounds having one or more metals, and efficiently separates, recovers, and scavenges of the metals from a target such as a sample, solution, suspension, or mixture.

Light Scattering by Coated Sphere Immersed in Absorbing Medium: A Comparison between the FDTD and Analytic Solutions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sun, W.; Loeb, N. G.; Fu, Q.

2004-01-01

A recently developed finite-difference time domain scheme is examined using the exact analytic solutions for light scattering by a coated sphere immersed in an absorbing medium. The relative differences are less than 1% in the extinction, scattering, and absorption efficiencies and less than 5% in the scattering phase functions. The definition of apparent single-scattering properties is also discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In-to-Out Body Antenna-Independent Path Loss Model for Multilayered Tissues and Heterogeneous Medium

PubMed Central

Kurup, Divya; Vermeeren, Günter; Tanghe, Emmeric; Joseph, Wout; Martens, Luc

2015-01-01

In this paper, we investigate multilayered lossy and heterogeneous media for wireless body area networks (WBAN) to develop a simple, fast and efficient analytical in-to-out body path loss (PL) model at 2.45 GHz and, thus, avoid time-consuming simulations. The PL model is an antenna-independent model and is validated with simulations in layered medium, as well as in a 3D human model using electromagnetic solvers. PMID:25551483

Efficient regeneration of sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, from shoot-tip explant.

PubMed

Syamala, D; Devi, Prathibha

2003-12-01

Novel protocols for production of multiple shoot-tip clumps and somatic embryos of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench were developed with long-term goal of crop improvement through genetic transformation. Multiple shoot-tip clumps were developed in vitro from shoot-tip explant of one-week old seedling, cultured on MS medium containing only BA (0.5, 1 or 2 mg/l) or both BA (1 or 2 mg/l) and 2,4-D (0.5 mg/l) with bi-weekly subculture. Somatic embryos were directly produced on the enlarged dome shaped growing structures that developed from the shoot-tips of one-week old seedling explants (without any callus formation) when cultured on MS medium supplemented with both 2,4-D (0.5 mg/l) and BA (0.5 mg/l). However, the supplementation of MS medium with only 2,4-D (0.5 mg/l) induced compact callus without any plantlet regeneration. Each multiple shoot-clump was capable of regenerating more than 80 shoots via an intensive differentiation of both axillary and adventitious shoot buds, the somatic embryos were capable of 90% germination, plant conversion and regeneration. The regenerated shoots could be efficiently rooted on MS medium containing indole-3-butyric acid (IBA 1 mg/l). The plants were successfully transplanted to glasshouse and grown to maturity with a survival rate of 98%. Morphogenetic response of the explants was found to be genotypically independent.

Laboratory and on-road evaluations of cabin air filters using number and surface area concentration monitors.

PubMed

Qi, Chaolong; Stanley, Nick; Pui, David Y H; Kuehn, Thomas H

2008-06-01

An automotive cabin air filter's effectiveness for removing airborne particles was determined both in a laboratory wind tunnel and in vehicle on-road tests. The most penetrating particle size for the test filter was approximately 350 nm, where the filtration efficiency was 22.9 and 17.4% at medium and high fan speeds, respectively. The filtration efficiency increased for smaller particles and was 43.9% for 100 nm and 72.0% for 20 nm particles at a medium fan speed. We determined the reduction in passenger exposure to particles while driving in freeway traffic caused by a vehicle ventilation system with a cabin air filter installed. Both particle number and surface area concentration measurements were made inside the cabin and in the surrounding air. At medium fan speed, the number and surface area concentration-based exposure reductions were 65.6 +/- 6.0% and 60.6 +/- 9.4%, respectively. To distinguish the exposure reduction contribution from the filter alone and the remainder of the ventilation system, we also performed tests with and without the filter in place using the surface area monitors. The ventilation system operating in the recirculation mode with the cabin air filter installed provided the maximum protection, reducing the cabin particle concentration exponentially over time and usually taking only 3 min to reach 10 microm2/cm3 (a typical office air condition) under medium fan speed.

Three-Step Method for Proliferation and Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell (hESC)-Derived Male Germ Cells

PubMed Central

Lim, Jung Jin; Shim, Myung Sun; Lee, Jeoung Eun; Lee, Dong Ryul

2014-01-01

The low efficiency of differentiation into male germ cell (GC)-like cells and haploid germ cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) reflects the culture method employed in the two-dimensional (2D)-microenvironment. In this study, we applied a three-step media and calcium alginate-based 3D-culture system for enhancing the differentiation of hESCs into male germ stem cell (GSC)-like cells and haploid germ cells. In the first step, embryoid bodies (EBs) were derived from hESCs cultured in EB medium for 3 days and re-cultured for 4 additional days in EB medium with BMP4 and RA to specify GSC-like cells. In the second step, the resultant cells were cultured in GC-proliferation medium for 7 days. The GSC-like cells were then propagated after selection using GFR-α1 and were further cultured in GC-proliferation medium for 3 weeks. In the final step, a 3D-co-culture system using calcium alginate encapsulation and testicular somatic cells was applied to induce differentiation into haploid germ cells, and a culture containing approximately 3% male haploid germ cells was obtained after 2 weeks of culture. These results demonstrated that this culture system could be used to efficiently induce GSC-like cells in an EB population and to promote the differentiation of ESCs into haploid male germ cells. PMID:24690677

Heat exchanger for solar water heaters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cash, M.; Krupnick, A. C.

1977-01-01

Proposed efficient double-walled heat exchanger prevents contamination of domestic water supply lines and indicates leakage automatically in solar as well as nonsolar heat sources using water as heat transfer medium.

High-efficiency multiplex holograms based on Diffen polymeric material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreeva, O. V.; Bandyuk, O. V.; Kushnarenko, A. P.; Paramonov, A. A.; Lesnichiĭ, V. V.; Nacharov, A. P.; Andreeva, N. V.

2006-09-01

This paper discusses a method for obtaining multiplex holograms on Diffen polymeric recording medium with independent heating of the superimposed hologram-gratings. The parameters of the holograms are measured at various stages, and it is shown to be possible to obtain six hologram-gratings with 50% diffraction efficiency in the linear recording regime on a sample 2.3 mm thick.

Improvement of Aconitum napellus micropropagation by liquid culture on floating membrane rafts.

PubMed

Watad, A A; Kochba, M; Nissim, A; Gaba, V

1995-03-01

An efficient method was developed using floating membrane rafts (Liferaft(™)) for the micropropagation of Aconitum napellus (Ranunculaceae), a cut flower crop with a low natural propagation rate. This was achieved by introducing shoot tips into culture on Murashige and Skoog's (1962) solid medium, or liquid medium-supported rafts, supplemented by different levels of benzyl adenine (BA). Optimum shoot proliferation on solid medium required 4mg/l BA, whereas for expiants supported on rafts optimal proliferation was achieved at 0.25mg/l BA. Maximum shoot proliferation was found using the floating rafts (propagation ratio of 4.2 per month), 45% higher than the maximum value on solid medium. A similar value could be obtained on solid medium after a period of 2 months. The optimal response to BA was similar for fresh weight gain and shoot length. Growth in a shallow layer of liquid in shake flasks gives a similar shoot multiplication rate to that on floating rafts; however, submerged leaves brown and die.

2D and 3D impellers of centrifugal compressors - advantages, shortcomings and fields of application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galerkin, Y.; Reksrin, A.; Drozdov, A.

2017-08-01

The simplified equations are presented for calculation of inlet dimensions and velocity values for impellers with three-dimensional blades located in axial and radial part of an impeller (3D impeller) and with two-dimensional blades in radial part (2D). Considerations concerning loss coefficients of 3D and 2D impellers at different design flow rate coefficients are given. The tendency of reduction of potential advantages of 3D impellers at medium and small design flow rate coefficients is shown. The data on high-efficiency compressors and stages with 2D impellers coefficients designed by the authors are presented. The reached efficiency level of 88 - 90% makes further increase of efficiency by the application of 3D impellers doubtful. CFD-analysis of stage candidates with medium flow rate coefficient with 3D and 2D impellers revealed specific problems. In some cases the constructive advantage of a 2D impeller is smaller hub ratio. It makes possible the reaching of higher efficiency. From other side, there is a positive tendency of gas turbine drive RPM increase. 3D impellers have no alternative for stages with high flow rate coefficients matching high-speed drive.

Visual and efficient immunosensor technique for advancing biomedical applications of quantum dots on Salmonella detection and isolation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Feng; Pang, Dai-Wen; Chen, Zhi; Shao, Jian-Bo; Xiong, Ling-Hong; Xiang, Yan-Ping; Xiong, Yan; Wu, Kai; Ai, Hong-Wu; Zhang, Hui; Zheng, Xiao-Li; Lv, Jing-Rui; Liu, Wei-Yong; Hu, Hong-Bing; Mei, Hong; Zhang, Zhen; Sun, Hong; Xiang, Yun; Sun, Zi-Yong

2016-02-01

It is a great challenge in nanotechnology for fluorescent nanobioprobes to be applied to visually detect and directly isolate pathogens in situ. A novel and visual immunosensor technique for efficient detection and isolation of Salmonella was established here by applying fluorescent nanobioprobes on a specially-designed cellulose-based swab (a solid-phase enrichment system). The selective and chromogenic medium used on this swab can achieve the ultrasensitive amplification of target bacteria and form chromogenic colonies in situ based on a simple biochemical reaction. More importantly, because this swab can serve as an attachment site for the targeted pathogens to immobilize and immunologically capture nanobioprobes, our mAb-conjugated QD bioprobes were successfully applied on the solid-phase enrichment system to capture the fluorescence of targeted colonies under a designed excitation light instrument based on blue light-emitting diodes combined with stereomicroscopy or laser scanning confocal microscopy. Compared with the traditional methods using 4-7 days to isolate Salmonella from the bacterial mixture, this method took only 2 days to do this, and the process of initial screening and preliminary diagnosis can be completed in only one and a half days. Furthermore, the limit of detection can reach as low as 101 cells per mL Salmonella on the background of 105 cells per mL non-Salmonella (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis or Citrobacter freundii, respectively) in experimental samples, and even in human anal ones. The visual and efficient immunosensor technique may be proved to be a favorable alternative for screening and isolating Salmonella in a large number of samples related to public health surveillance.It is a great challenge in nanotechnology for fluorescent nanobioprobes to be applied to visually detect and directly isolate pathogens in situ. A novel and visual immunosensor technique for efficient detection and isolation of Salmonella was established here by applying fluorescent nanobioprobes on a specially-designed cellulose-based swab (a solid-phase enrichment system). The selective and chromogenic medium used on this swab can achieve the ultrasensitive amplification of target bacteria and form chromogenic colonies in situ based on a simple biochemical reaction. More importantly, because this swab can serve as an attachment site for the targeted pathogens to immobilize and immunologically capture nanobioprobes, our mAb-conjugated QD bioprobes were successfully applied on the solid-phase enrichment system to capture the fluorescence of targeted colonies under a designed excitation light instrument based on blue light-emitting diodes combined with stereomicroscopy or laser scanning confocal microscopy. Compared with the traditional methods using 4-7 days to isolate Salmonella from the bacterial mixture, this method took only 2 days to do this, and the process of initial screening and preliminary diagnosis can be completed in only one and a half days. Furthermore, the limit of detection can reach as low as 101 cells per mL Salmonella on the background of 105 cells per mL non-Salmonella (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis or Citrobacter freundii, respectively) in experimental samples, and even in human anal ones. The visual and efficient immunosensor technique may be proved to be a favorable alternative for screening and isolating Salmonella in a large number of samples related to public health surveillance. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: One additional figure (Fig. S1), two additional tables (Tables S1 and S2) and additional information. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr07424j

Characterization of Canine Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells in Serum-Free Medium.

PubMed

Liu, Zhuoming; Screven, Rudell; Boxer, Lynne; Myers, Michael J; Devireddy, Lax R

2018-06-20

In this article, we report on the development of a defined serum-free medium capable of supporting the culture expansion of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) from canine adipose tissue (canine Ad-MSCs). The potential benefits of serum-free media can only be utilized if cells cultured in serum-free media maintain the same functional characteristics as cells cultured in serum-containing media. Therefore, we analyze the characteristics of canine Ad-MSCs cultured in this serum-free medium or in serum-containing medium through evaluation of growth kinetics, clonogenic capacity, senescence, and differentiation capacity. Both, serum-containing medium and our serum-free medium, supported efficient growth and colony formation of canine Ad-MSCs. In addition, canine Ad-MSCs cultured in both media demonstrated similar viability after freeze/thaw, similar cell surface marker expression, and were capable of trilineage differentiation. While canine Ad-MSCs cultured in both media were generally similar, under the conditions of our study, canine Ad-MSCs cultured in serum-free medium demonstrated a shorter lag phase and higher colony-forming capacity, accelerated population doubling, maintained multipotentiality at higher passage numbers, and underwent senescence at higher passage numbers compared to canine Ad-MSCs cultured in conventional serum-containing medium. These results suggest that canine Ad-MSCs cultured in serum-free medium retain the basic characteristics associated with canine Ad-MSCs cultured in serum-containing medium, although some differences in growth kinetics were observed.

The potential of black radio to disseminate health messages and reduce disparities.

PubMed

Hall, Ingrid J; Johnson-Turbes, C Ashani; Williams, Kymber N

2010-07-01

Radio stations that target African American audiences ("black radio") reach a national African American audience daily, making black radio an ideal medium for health promotion and disparities reduction in the African American community. Black radio can be used to communicate public health messages and to recruit African Americans into public health research.

The Effect of Brand Identification on Alumni Supportive Behaviors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stephenson, Amber L.

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of brand identification and supportive behaviors for alumni of a medium-sized state-run public institution of higher education in the mid-Atlantic region of the US. The research examined the perceptions of donor and non-donor alumni of a state-run public institution of higher education to…

A Model for Service to the Elderly by the Small/Medium Sized Public Library.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jeffries, Stephen R.

Citing the American Library Association's 1964 statement of libraries' responsibilities to the aging, this paper presents a needs assessment of the elderly and suggests methods by which public libraries can attempt to meet some of these needs, e.g., barrier-free design, programs, materials, and services. The needs assessment of older users…

Science Communication Through Art: Objectives, Challenges, and Outcomes.

PubMed

Lesen, Amy E; Rogan, Ama; Blum, Michael J

2016-09-01

The arts are becoming a favored medium for conveying science to the public. Tracking trending approaches, such as community-engaged learning, alongside challenges and goals can help establish metrics to achieve more impactful outcomes, and to determine the effectiveness of arts-based science communication for raising awareness or shaping public policy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Content and Language Integrated Learning: Teachers' and Teacher Educators' Experiences of English Medium Teaching. Publication No. 4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sjoholm, Kaj, Ed.; Bjorklund, Mikaela, Ed.

The publication on the integration of content area and second language instruction, focusing on the situation in Finland, consists of nine essays and a bibliography. The essays include: "Education in a Second or Foreign Language. An Overview" (Kaj Sjoholm); "Foreign Language Content Teaching in Teacher Education at Abo Akademi…

Will the New Technologies Kill the Public Library?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wicklein, John

With fiber optic networks that can deliver library materials directly to the user from computerized data banks, is there any need for the library function? For the short term, public libraries will survive. The answer for the medium and long-term is much less certain. Libraries will survive if librarians see themselves as active providers of…

An Online Information System to Support Blended Training of Rural SMEs on E-Government

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tzikopoulos, Argiris; Manouselis, Nikos; Kastrantas, Kostas; Costopoulou, Constantina

2012-01-01

Purpose: Away from central public authorities, regional (also called rural) enterprises do not have direct, physical access to all the services that governmental or public agencies offer. Very often, these services are essential for enterprises, mostly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in such areas, in order to perform their business…

Obstetric profile of pregnant adolescents in a public hospital: risk at beginning of labor, at delivery, postpartum, and in puerperium1

PubMed Central

Martínez, Hugo Tapia; Silva, Marta Angélica Iossi; Cabrera, Iñiga Pérez; Mendoza, Araceli Jiménez

2015-01-01

Objective: describe the obstetric profile of adolescents at beginning of labor, at delivery, postpartum, and in puerperium. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study with 85 pregnant adolescents, selected by convenience, referred by health centers to a public hospital in Mexico City. Risks were evaluated before, during and after delivery and in puerperium, and measured respectively with the "Previgenes" that compose the Reproductive and Perinatal Risk Assessment System. Results: socioeconomic status, occupation and education level had influence on the emotionality of adolescents in relation to labor, whose obstetric risk was low for 55%, medium for 35%, and high for 10%. Risk in labor was low for 55%, medium for 18%, and high for 27%. Risk postpartum was low for 50%, medium for 25%, and high for 25%. In puerperium, most adolescents (90%) had low risk. Conclusion: most adolescents had low risk in the stages evaluated. The study contributed to identify strategies to approach risk considering the vulnerability inherent in this type of population and favored the conduct of appropriate interventions for the respective needs. PMID:26487132

Obstetric profile of pregnant adolescents in a public hospital: risk at beginning of labor, at delivery, postpartum, and in puerperium.

PubMed

Martínez, Hugo Tapia; Silva, Marta Angélica Iossi; Cabrera, Iñiga Pérez; Mendoza, Araceli Jiménez

2015-01-01

describe the obstetric profile of adolescents at beginning of labor, at delivery, postpartum, and in puerperium. Cross-sectional descriptive study with 85 pregnant adolescents, selected by convenience, referred by health centers to a public hospital in Mexico City. Risks were evaluated before, during and after delivery and in puerperium, and measured respectively with the "Previgenes" that compose the Reproductive and Perinatal Risk Assessment System. socioeconomic status, occupation and education level had influence on the emotionality of adolescents in relation to labor, whose obstetric risk was low for 55%, medium for 35%, and high for 10%. Risk in labor was low for 55%, medium for 18%, and high for 27%. Risk postpartum was low for 50%, medium for 25%, and high for 25%. In puerperium, most adolescents (90%) had low risk. most adolescents had low risk in the stages evaluated. The study contributed to identify strategies to approach risk considering the vulnerability inherent in this type of population and favored the conduct of appropriate interventions for the respective needs.

Vaccine Pipeline Has Grown During The Past Two Decades With More Early-Stage Trials From Small And Medium-Size Companies.

PubMed

Hwang, Thomas J; Kesselheim, Aaron S

2016-02-01

Many serious diseases lack safe and effective vaccines. Using a large commercial database, we examined trends in global vaccine research and development and found that the proportion of new vaccine candidates entering all stages of clinical development increased by 3-5 percentage points over the past two decades. Small and medium-size companies accounted for nearly twice as many new Phase I vaccine trials compared to large companies, but late-stage (Phase III) vaccine trials were dominated by large companies. There were no significant differences between vaccines and drugs in the probability of success in clinical trials or in profitability. Small and medium-size companies, including spin-outs from academic research centers, play an important role in innovative research and discovery. Our findings suggest that policy making targeted at smaller companies, such as prizes or opportunities for public-private partnerships, could support the development of new vaccines, particularly those targeting unmet medical needs and emerging public health threats. Project HOPE—The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc.

Highly efficient continuous-wave Nd:YAG ceramic lasers at 946 nm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, H. Y.; Xu, C. W.; Zhang, J.; Tang, D. Y.; Luo, D. W.; Duan, Y. M.

2013-07-01

Highly efficient CW operation of diode-end-pumped Nd:YAG ceramic lasers at 946 nm is experimentally demonstrated. When a 5 mm long in-house fabricated Nd:YAG ceramic was used as the gain medium, a maximum output power of 10.5 W was obtained under an incident pump power of 35 W, corresponding to an optical conversion efficiency of 30%, while, when a 3 mm long ceramic sample was used, a maximum output power of 8.7 W was generated with a slope efficiency of 65% with respect to the absorbed pump power. Both the optical conversion efficiency and slope efficiency are the highest results reported so far for the diode-pumped 946 nm lasers.

Complexity analysis on public transport networks of 97 large- and medium-sized cities in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Zhanwei; Zhang, Zhuo; Wang, Hongfei; Ma, Li

2018-04-01

The traffic situation in Chinese urban areas is continuing to deteriorate. To make a better planning and designing of the public transport system, it is necessary to make profound research on the structure of urban public transport networks (PTNs). We investigate 97 large- and medium-sized cities’ PTNs in China, construct three types of network models — bus stop network, bus transit network and bus line network, then analyze the structural characteristics of them. It is revealed that bus stop network is small-world and scale-free, bus transit network and bus line network are both small-world. Betweenness centrality of each city’s PTN shows similar distribution pattern, although these networks’ size is various. When classifying cities according to the characteristics of PTNs or economic development level, the results are similar. It means that the development of cities’ economy and transport network has a strong correlation, PTN expands in a certain model with the development of economy.

Efficiency and kinetics of the in vitro fertilization process in bovine oocytes with different meiotic competence.

PubMed

Horakova, J; Hanzalova, K; Reckova, Z; Hulinska, P; Machatkova, M

2007-08-01

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficiency and kinetics of fertilization in oocytes with different meiotic competence, as defined by the phase of the follicular wave and follicle size. Oocytes were recovered from cows with synchronized estrus cycles, slaughtered in either the growth (day 3) or the dominant (day 7) phase, separately from large, medium and small follicles. The oocytes were matured and fertilized by a standard protocol. Twenty-four hours after fertilization, the oocytes were denuded from cumulus cells, fixed and stained with bisbensimid Hoechst-PBS. Fertilization was more efficient and the first cleavage was accelerated in growth phase-derived oocytes, as shown by significantly higher (p < or = 0.01) proportions of both normally fertilized and cleaved oocytes (68.8 and 25.1%), in comparison with dominant phase-derived oocytes (44.2 and 10.3%). In the growth-phase derived oocytes, proportions of normally fertilized and cleaved oocytes were significantly higher (p < or = 0.01) in oocytes from large (100.0 and 36.4%) and medium (83.3 and 36.5%) follicles than in those from small (54.8 and 14.6%) follicles. The dominant phase-derived oocytes showed higher proportions of normally fertilized and cleaved oocytes in the populations recovered from small (51.5 and 10.0%) and medium (43.1 and 12.0%) follicles than in those from large (25.0 and 0%) follicles; however, the differences were not significant. It can be concluded that: (i) efficiency and kinetics of fertilization differ in relation to oocyte's meiotic competence; (ii) improved development of embryos from oocytes with greater meiotic competence is associated with a more effective fertilization process.

Rational and Efficient Preparative Isolation of Natural Products by MPLC-UV-ELSD based on HPLC to MPLC Gradient Transfer.

PubMed

Challal, Soura; Queiroz, Emerson Ferreira; Debrus, Benjamin; Kloeti, Werner; Guillarme, Davy; Gupta, Mahabir Prashad; Wolfender, Jean-Luc

2015-11-01

In natural product research, the isolation of biomarkers or bioactive compounds from complex natural extracts represents an essential step for de novo identification and bioactivity assessment. When pure natural products have to be obtained in milligram quantities, the chromatographic steps are generally labourious and time-consuming. In this respect, an efficient method has been developed for the reversed-phase gradient transfer from high-performance liquid chromatography to medium-performance liquid chromatography for the isolation of pure natural products at the level of tens of milligrams from complex crude natural extracts. The proposed method provides a rational way to predict retention behaviour and resolution at the analytical scale prior to medium-performance liquid chromatography, and guarantees similar performances at both analytical and preparative scales. The optimisation of the high-performance liquid chromatography separation and system characterisation allows for the prediction of the gradient at the medium-performance liquid chromatography scale by using identical stationary phase chemistries. The samples were introduced in medium-performance liquid chromatography using a pressure-resistant aluminium dry load cell especially designed for this study to allow high sample loading while maintaining a maximum achievable flow rate for the separation. The method has been validated with a mixture of eight natural product standards. Ultraviolet and evaporative light scattering detections were used in parallel for a comprehensive monitoring. In addition, post-chromatographic mass spectrometry detection was provided by high-throughput ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry analyses of all fractions. The processing of all liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry data in the form of an medium-performance liquid chromatography x ultra high-performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry matrix enabled an efficient localisation of the compounds of interest in the generated fractions. The methodology was successfully applied for the separation of three different plant extracts that contain many diverse secondary metabolites. The advantages and limitations of this approach and the theoretical chromatographic background that rules such as liquid chromatography gradient transfer are presented from a practical viewpoint. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Visual detection technique for efficient screening and isolation of Salmonella based on a novel enrichment assay using chromatography membrane.

PubMed

Tang, F; Xiong, Y; Zhang, H; Wu, K; Xiang, Y; Shao, J-B; Ai, H-W; Xiang, Y-P; Zheng, X-L; Lv, J-R; Sun, H; Bao, L-S; Zhang, Z; Hu, H-B; Zhang, J-Y; Chen, L; Lu, J; Liu, W-Y; Mei, H; Ma, Y; Xu, C-F; Fang, A-Y; Gu, M; Xu, C-Y; Chen, Y; Chen, Z; Sun, Z-Y

2016-03-01

To detect Salmonella more efficiently and isolate strains more easily, a novel and simple detection method that uses an enrichment assay and two chromogenic reactions on a chromatography membrane was developed. Grade 3 chromatography paper is used as functionalized solid phase support (SPS), which contains specially optimized medium. One reaction for screening is based on the sulfate-reducing capacity of Salmonella. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) generated by Salmonella reacts with ammonium ferric citrate to produce black colored ferrous sulfide. Another reaction is based on Salmonella C8 esterase that is unique for Enterobacteriaceae except Serratia and interacts with 4-methylumbelliferyl caprylate (MUCAP) to produce fluorescent umbelliferone, which is visible under ultraviolet light. A very low detection limit (10(1) CFU ml(-1)) for Salmonella was achieved on the background of 10(5) CFU ml(-1) Escherichia coli. More importantly, testing with more than 1,000 anal samples indicated that our method has a high positive detection rate and is relatively low cost, compared with the traditional culture-based method. It took only 1 day for the preliminary screening and 2 days to efficiently isolate the Salmonella cells, indicating that the new assay is specific, rapid, and simple for Salmonella detection. In contrast to the traditional culture-based method, this method can be easily used to screen and isolate targeted strains with the naked eye. The results of quantitative and comparative experiments showed that the visual detection technique is an efficient alternative method for the screening of Salmonella spp. in many applications of large-sized samples related to public health surveillance.

Optimisation of tomato Micro-tom regeneration and selection on glufosinate/Basta and dependency of gene silencing on transgene copy number.

PubMed

Khuong, Thi Thu Huong; Crété, Patrice; Robaglia, Christophe; Caffarri, Stefano

2013-09-01

An efficient protocol of transformation and selection of transgenic lines of Micro-tom, a widespread model cultivar for tomato, is reported. RNA interference silencing efficiency and stability have been investigated and correlated with the number of insertions. Given its small size and ease of cultivation, the tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) cultivar Micro-tom is of widespread use as a model tomato plant. To create and screen transgenic plants, different selectable markers are commonly used. The bar marker carrying the resistance to the herbicide glufosinate/Basta, has many advantages, but it has been little utilised and with low efficiency for identification of tomato transgenic plants. Here we describe a procedure for accurate selection of transgenic Micro-tom both in vitro and in soil. Immunoblot, Southern blot and phenotypic analyses showed that 100 % of herbicide-resistant plants were transgenic. In addition, regeneration improvement has been obtained by using 2 mg/l Gibberellic acid in the shoot elongation medium; rooting optimisation on medium containing 1 mg/l IAA allowed up to 97 % of shoots developing strong and very healthy roots after only 10 days. Stable transformation frequency by infection of leaf explants with Agrobacterium reached 12 %. Shoots have been induced by combination of 1 mg/l zeatin-trans and 0.1 mg/l IAA. Somatic embryogenesis of cotyledon on medium containing 1 mg/l zeatin + 2 mg/l IAA is described in Micro-tom. The photosynthetic psbS gene has been used as reporter gene for RNA silencing studies. The efficiency of gene silencing has been found equivalent using three different target gene fragments of 519, 398 and 328 bp. Interestingly, silencing efficiency decreased from T0 to the T3 generation in plants containing multiple copies of the inserted T-DNA, while it was stable in plants containing a single insertion.

Public Budgeting: The Compromises Among the Sound Budgeting Principles in Contingency Funding

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-01

sound decisions (including the full financial costs and benefits of the budget decisions, and the impacts thereof) and be made accessible to all...is also seen when all relevant data and costs projections result, in a timely manner, in a budget document that is accessible by the public . A medium...include all relevant data and costs projections, and makes information accessible to the public for review in a timely manner. The budget

Single Spore Isolation as a Simple and Efficient Technique to obtain fungal pure culture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noman, E.; Al-Gheethi, AA; Rahman, N. K.; Talip, B.; Mohamed, R.; H, N.; Kadir, O. A.

2018-04-01

The successful identification of fungi by phenotypic methods or molecular technique depends mainly on the using an advanced technique for purifying the isolates. The most efficient is the single spore technique due to the simple requirements and the efficiency in preventing the contamination by yeast, mites or bacteria. The method described in the present work is depends on the using of a light microscope to transfer one spore into a new culture medium. The present work describes a simple and efficient procedure for single spore isolation to purify of fungi recovered from the clinical wastes.

33 CFR 161.17 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... WATERWAYS SAFETY VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT Vessel Movement Reporting System § 161.17 Definitions. As used in... in a widely-distributed and publicly available medium (e.g., VTS User's Manual, ferry schedule...

24 CFR 55.20 - Decision making process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... appropriate local printed news medium, and must be sent to federal, state, and local public agencies... technological alternatives, hazard reduction methods and related mitigation costs, and environmental impacts. (d...

24 CFR 55.20 - Decision making process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... appropriate local printed news medium, and must be sent to federal, state, and local public agencies... technological alternatives, hazard reduction methods and related mitigation costs, and environmental impacts. (d...

Efficiency and Productivity of County-level Public Hospitals Based on the Data Envelopment Analysis Model and Malmquist Index in Anhui, China

PubMed Central

Li, Nian-Nian; Wang, Cun-Hui; Ni, Hong; Wang, Heng

2017-01-01

Background: China began to implement the national medical and health system and public hospital reforms in 2009 and 2012, respectively. Anhui Province is one of the four pilot provinces, and the medical reform measures received wide attention nationwide. The effectiveness of the above reform needs to get attention. This study aimed to master the efficiency and productivity of county-level public hospitals based on the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model and Malmquist index in Anhui, China, and then provide improvement measures for the future hospital development. Methods: We chose 12 country-level hospitals based on geographical distribution and the economic development level in Anhui Province. Relevant data that were collected in the field and then sorted were provided by the administrative departments of the hospitals. DEA models were used to calculate the dynamic efficiency and Malmquist index factors for the 12 institutions. Results: During 2010–2015, the overall average relative service efficiency of 12 county-level public hospitals was 0.926, and the number of hospitals achieved an effective DEA for each year from 2010 to 2015 was 4, 6, 7, 7, 6, and 8, respectively, as measured using DEA. During this same period, the average overall production efficiency was 0.983, and the total productivity factor had declined. The overall production efficiency of five hospitals was >1, and the rest are <1 between 2010 and 2015. Conclusions: In 2010–2015, the relative service efficiency of 12 county-level public hospitals in Anhui Province showed a decreasing trend, and the service efficiency of each hospital changed. In the past 6 years, although some hospitals have been effective, the efficiency of the county-level public hospitals in Anhui Province has not improved significantly, and the total factor productivity has not been effectively improved. County-level public hospitals need to combine their own reality to find their own deficiencies. PMID:29176142

Efficiency and Productivity of County-level Public Hospitals Based on the Data Envelopment Analysis Model and Malmquist Index in Anhui, China.

PubMed

Li, Nian-Nian; Wang, Cun-Hui; Ni, Hong; Wang, Heng

2017-12-05

China began to implement the national medical and health system and public hospital reforms in 2009 and 2012, respectively. Anhui Province is one of the four pilot provinces, and the medical reform measures received wide attention nationwide. The effectiveness of the above reform needs to get attention. This study aimed to master the efficiency and productivity of county-level public hospitals based on the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model and Malmquist index in Anhui, China, and then provide improvement measures for the future hospital development. We chose 12 country-level hospitals based on geographical distribution and the economic development level in Anhui Province. Relevant data that were collected in the field and then sorted were provided by the administrative departments of the hospitals. DEA models were used to calculate the dynamic efficiency and Malmquist index factors for the 12 institutions. During 2010-2015, the overall average relative service efficiency of 12 county-level public hospitals was 0.926, and the number of hospitals achieved an effective DEA for each year from 2010 to 2015 was 4, 6, 7, 7, 6, and 8, respectively, as measured using DEA. During this same period, the average overall production efficiency was 0.983, and the total productivity factor had declined. The overall production efficiency of five hospitals was >1, and the rest are <1 between 2010 and 2015. In 2010-2015, the relative service efficiency of 12 county-level public hospitals in Anhui Province showed a decreasing trend, and the service efficiency of each hospital changed. In the past 6 years, although some hospitals have been effective, the efficiency of the county-level public hospitals in Anhui Province has not improved significantly, and the total factor productivity has not been effectively improved. County-level public hospitals need to combine their own reality to find their own deficiencies.

Development of Competence of Haemophilus influenzae

PubMed Central

Spencer, Hugh T.; Herriott, Roger M.

1965-01-01

Spencer, Hugh T. (The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Md.), and Roger M. Herriott. Development of competence of Haemophilus influenzae. J. Bacteriol. 90:911–920. 1965.—A chemically defined nongrowth medium was developed for the induction of competence of Haemophilus influenzae by a stepdown procedure. Cells grown logarithmically in Heart Infusion Broth became competent after being transferred to a medium which consisted of amino acids, sodium fumarate, and inorganic salts. Chloramphenicol (2 μg/ml) or l-valine (1 μg/ml) in the nongrowth medium inhibited development of competence. The inhibitory action of l-valine was reversed by comparable concentrations of l-isoleucine. Kinetic studies of the development of competence showed a variable capacity of competent cells to take up deoxyribonucleic acid and reaffirmed earlier findings that competence was not transmissible in H. influenzae. Addition of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, thiamine, calcium pantothenate, uracil, and hypoxanthine to the medium for competence resulted in a minimal growth medium in which reduced levels of competence were developed. PMID:5294817

Google Earth and Geo Applications: A Toolset for Viewing Earth's Geospatial Information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuxen-Bettman, K.

2016-12-01

Earth scientists measure and derive fundamental data that can be of broad general interest to the public and policy makers. Yet, one of the challenges that has always faced the Earth science community is how to present their data and findings in an easy-to-use and compelling manner. Google's Geo Tools offer an efficient and dynamic way for scientists, educators, journalists and others to both access data and view or tell stories in a dynamic three-dimensional geospatial context. Google Earth in particular provides a dense canvas of satellite imagery on which can be viewed rich vector and raster datasets using the medium of Keyhole Markup Language (KML). Through KML, Google Earth can combine the analytical capabilities of Earth Engine, collaborative mapping of My Maps, and storytelling of Tour Builder and more to make Google's Geo Applications a coherent suite of tools for exploring our planet.https://earth.google.com/https://earthengine.google.com/https://mymaps.google.com/https://tourbuilder.withgoogle.com/https://www.google.com/streetview/

Efficiency and quality of care in nursing homes: an Italian case study.

PubMed

Garavaglia, Giulia; Lettieri, Emanuele; Agasisti, Tommaso; Lopez, Silvano

2011-03-01

This study investigates efficiency and quality of care in nursing homes. By means of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), the efficiency of 40 nursing homes that deliver their services in the north-western area of the Lombardy Region was assessed over a 3-year period (2005-2007). Lombardy is a very peculiar setting, since it is the only Region in Italy where the healthcare industry is organised as a quasi-market, in which the public authority buys health and nursing services from independent providers-establishing a reimbursement system for this purpose. The analysis is conducted by generating bootstrapped DEA efficiency scores for each nursing home (stage one), then regressing those scores on explanatory variables (stage two). Our DEA model employed two input (i.e. costs for health and nursing services and costs for residential services) and three output variables (case mix, extra nursing hours and residential charges). In the second-stage analysis, Tobit regressions and the Kruskall-Wallis tests of hypothesis to the efficiency scores were applied to define what are the factors that affect efficiency: (a) the ownership (private nursing houses outperform their public counterparts); and (b) the capability to implement strategies for labour cost and nursing costs containment, since the efficiency heavily depends upon the alignment of the costs to the public reimbursement system. Lastly, even though the public institutions are less efficient than the private ones, the results suggest that public nursing homes are moving towards their private counterparts, and thus competition is benefiting efficiency.

Too Big, Too Small, or Just Right? Cost-Efficiency of Environmental Inspection Services in Connecticut.

PubMed

Cohen, Jeffrey P; Checko, Patricia J

2017-12-01

To assess optimal activity size/mix of Connecticut local public health jurisdictions, through estimating economies of scale/scope/specialization for environmental inspections/services. Connecticut's 74 local health jurisdictions (LHJs) must provide environmental health services, but their efficiency or reasons for wide cost variation are unknown. The public health system is decentralized, with variation in organizational structure/size. We develop/compile a longitudinal dataset covering all 74 LHJs, annually from 2005 to 2012. We estimate a public health services/inspections cost function, where inputs are translated into outputs. We consider separate estimates of economies of scale/scope/specialization for four mandated inspection types. We obtain data from Connecticut Department of Public Health databases, reports, and other publicly available sources. There has been no known previous utilization of this combined dataset. On average, regional districts, municipal departments, and part-time LHJs are performing fewer than the efficient number of inspections. The full-time municipal departments and regional districts are more efficient but still not at the minimum efficient scale. The regional districts' elasticities of scale are larger, implying they are more efficient than municipal health departments. Local health jurisdictions may enhance efficiency by increasing inspections and/or sharing some services. © Health Research and Educational Trust.

Delivery of drugs to intracellular organelles using drug delivery systems: Analysis of research trends and targeting efficiencies.

PubMed

Maity, Amit Ranjan; Stepensky, David

2015-12-30

Targeting of drug delivery systems (DDSs) to specific intracellular organelles (i.e., subcellular targeting) has been investigated in numerous publications, but targeting efficiency of these systems is seldom reported. We searched scientific publications in the subcellular DDS targeting field and analyzed targeting efficiency and major formulation parameters that affect it. We identified 77 scientific publications that matched the search criteria. In the majority of these studies nanoparticle-based DDSs were applied, while liposomes, quantum dots and conjugates were used less frequently. The nucleus was the most common intracellular target, followed by mitochondrion, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. In 65% of the publications, DDSs surface was decorated with specific targeting residues, but the efficiency of this surface decoration was not analyzed in predominant majority of the studies. Moreover, only 23% of the analyzed publications contained quantitative data on DDSs subcellular targeting efficiency, while the majority of publications reported qualitative results only. From the analysis of publications in the subcellular targeting field, it appears that insufficient efforts are devoted to quantitative analysis of the major formulation parameters and of the DDSs' intracellular fate. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations for future studies in the field of organelle-specific drug delivery and targeting. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Conversion of alkanes to organoseleniums and organotelluriums

DOEpatents

Periana, Roy A.; Konnick, Michael M.; Hashiguchi, Brian G.

2016-11-29

The invention provides processes and materials for the efficient and costeffective functionalization of alkanes and heteroalkanes, comprising contacting the alkane or heteroalkane and a soft oxidizing electrophile comprising Se(VI) or Te(VI), in an acidic medium, optionally further comprising an aprotic medium, which can be carried out at a temperature of less than 300 C. Isolation of the alkylselenium or alkyltellurium intermediate allows the subsequent conversion to products not necessarily compatible with the initial reaction conditions, such as amines, stannanes, organosulfur compounds, acyls, halocarbons, and olefins.

Triple-effect absorption refrigeration system with double-condenser coupling

DOEpatents

DeVault, R.C.; Biermann, W.J.

1993-04-27

A triple effect absorption refrigeration system is provided with a double-condenser coupling and a parallel or series circuit for feeding the refrigerant-containing absorbent solution through the high, medium, and low temperature generators utilized in the triple-effect system. The high temperature condenser receiving vaporous refrigerant from the high temperature generator is double coupled to both the medium temperature generator and the low temperature generator to enhance the internal recovery of heat within the system and thereby increase the thermal efficiency thereof.

Triple-effect absorption refrigeration system with double-condenser coupling

DOEpatents

DeVault, Robert C.; Biermann, Wendell J.

1993-01-01

A triple effect absorption refrigeration system is provided with a double-condenser coupling and a parallel or series circuit for feeding the refrigerant-containing absorbent solution through the high, medium, and low temperature generators utilized in the triple-effect system. The high temperature condenser receiving vaporous refrigerant from the high temperature generator is double coupled to both the medium temperature generator and the low temperature generator to enhance the internal recovery of heat within the system and thereby increase the thermal efficiency thereof.

An Automated System for Accurately Tracking and Measuring Multiple Targets in Six Dimensions

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-08-01

diffracted with good efficiency. The deflection medium is a crystal material TeO2 . The power of the electrical signal is 2W. The corresponding diffraction...between 50 MHz and 100 MHz. The acoustooptical deflector used a birefregent TeO2 single crystal as the ultrasonic medium where the light deflection take...pair of glass substrates with sufficient thickness (> 1 mm). The thick glass plate reduces the spatial resolution of the fiberoptic plate. To reduce

Thermal emission from a metamaterial wire medium slab.

PubMed

D'Aguanno, G; Mattiucci, N; Alù, A; Argyropoulos, C; Foreman, J V; Bloemer, M J

2012-04-23

We investigate thermal emission from a metamaterial wire medium embedded in a dielectric host and highlight two different regimes for efficient emission, respectively characterized by broadband emission near the effective plasma frequency of the metamaterial, and by narrow-band resonant emission at the band-edge in the Bragg scattering regime. We discuss how to control the spectral position and relative strength of these two emission mechanisms by varying the geometrical parameters of the proposed metamaterial and its temperature. © 2012 Optical Society of America

[Evaluating the efficiency of basic public health service project in Beijing rural areas based on data envelopment analysis].

PubMed

Zhang, Gui-lin; Pan, Xi-long

2013-04-18

To measure the efficiency changes of basic public health service in Beijing rural areas and to provide some suggestions for the basic public health service project throughout China. In the study, stratified random samples from 32 township health centers (THCs) were measured by data envelopment analysis (DEA) model with the panel data from 2007 to 2009. (1) The average total efficiency score of samples was 0.972. The TE non-efficient THCs were with excess in all input indicators and insufficient outputs in technology management, health promotion and chronic disease management. (2) The total factor productivity (TFP) from 2007 to 2008 increased 8.8%, which was attributed to technology change. The TFP decreased by 6.6% from 2008 to 2009, but the technical efficiency increased by 3.3%. There is room for improvemrnt in the basic public health service project in Beijing rural areas. Scale efficiency should be improved and the common development of technical efficiency and technology progress promoted in order to increase the project outputs.

Fish meal extract bile esculin agar (FMBE) a selective medium for Bacteroides fragilis group.

PubMed

Beena, V K; Rao, S; Kotian, M; Shivananda, P G

1997-07-01

Fish meal extract bile esculin agar (FMBE) is prepared using Fish meal extract concentrate as the basal substance, for the selective isolation and presumptive identification of B.fragilis group. The efficiency of the medium was evaluated by growing stock cultures of B.fragilis groups as well as inoculating clinical specimens and comparing the results with Bacteroides bile esculin agar (BBE). All the 87 stock cultures of B.fragilis grew on FMBE and BBE. No other anaerobes tested grew on the medium. However 7 out of 65 neomycin resistant aerobes grew on the FMBE. From the 100 clinical samples, 62 strains of B. Fragilis group were recovered on FMBE and BBE, and 53 strains on supplemented BHIBA. The cost effectiveness, selectivity and the ability to detect esculin hydrolysis will enable FMBE as a suitable medium as comparable to that of BBE, if not superior.

Medium-Induced QCD Cascade: Democratic Branching and Wave Turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blaizot, J.-P.; Iancu, E.; Mehtar-Tani, Y.

2013-08-01

We study the average properties of the gluon cascade generated by an energetic parton propagating through a quark-gluon plasma. We focus on the soft, medium-induced emissions which control the energy transport at large angles with respect to the leading parton. We show that the effect of multiple branchings is important. In contrast with what happens in a usual QCD cascade in vacuum, medium-induced branchings are quasidemocratic, with offspring gluons carrying sizable fractions of the energy of their parent gluon. This results in an efficient mechanism for the transport of energy toward the medium, which is akin to wave turbulence with a scaling spectrum ˜1/ω. We argue that the turbulent flow may be responsible for the excess energy carried by very soft quanta, as revealed by the analysis of the dijet asymmetry observed in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC.

Possibilities of vaccine manufacture in human diploid cell strains with a serum replacement factor.

PubMed

Candal, F J; George, V G; Ades, E W

1991-07-01

Cell lines MDCK (canine kidney), BGM (Buffalo green monkey kidney) and human embryonic lung fibroblast will support viral growth efficiently in medium without serum. Both MRC-5 and WI-38 cell strains have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for manufacturing viral vaccines against cytomegalovirus and varicella-zoster virus. In this study we examine these two cell lines and viruses for their ability to grow in medium containing a serum replacement. The serum substitute used is LPSR-1 (low protein serum replacement). Using LPSR-1 in defined medium, we demonstrate multipassage cell growth and viral cultivation and replication equivalent to those obtained in medium containing fetal bovine serum (FBS). Viral growth after complete elimination of FBS varies and depends on cell line and virus. Serum substitutes can eliminate FBS in the viral growth phase of vaccine production and reduce costs.

Application of Plackett-Burman Experimental Design for Lipase Production by Aspergillus niger Using Shea Butter Cake

PubMed Central

Salihu, Aliyu; Bala, Muntari; Bala, Shuaibu M.

2013-01-01

Plackett-Burman design was used to efficiently select important medium components affecting the lipase production by Aspergillus niger using shea butter cake as the main substrate. Out of the eleven medium components screened, six comprising of sucrose, (NH4)2SO4, Na2HPO4, MgSO4, Tween-80, and olive oil were found to contribute positively to the overall lipase production with a maximum production of 3.35 U/g. Influence of tween-80 on lipase production was investigated, and 1.0% (v/w) of tween-80 resulted in maximum lipase production of 6.10 U/g. Thus, the statistical approach employed in this study allows for rapid identification of important medium parameters affecting the lipase production, and further statistical optimization of medium and process parameters can be explored using response surface methodology. PMID:25937979

Application of Plackett-Burman Experimental Design for Lipase Production by Aspergillus niger Using Shea Butter Cake.

PubMed

Salihu, Aliyu; Bala, Muntari; Bala, Shuaibu M

2013-01-01

Plackett-Burman design was used to efficiently select important medium components affecting the lipase production by Aspergillus niger using shea butter cake as the main substrate. Out of the eleven medium components screened, six comprising of sucrose, (NH4)2SO4, Na2HPO4, MgSO4, Tween-80, and olive oil were found to contribute positively to the overall lipase production with a maximum production of 3.35 U/g. Influence of tween-80 on lipase production was investigated, and 1.0% (v/w) of tween-80 resulted in maximum lipase production of 6.10 U/g. Thus, the statistical approach employed in this study allows for rapid identification of important medium parameters affecting the lipase production, and further statistical optimization of medium and process parameters can be explored using response surface methodology.

Biofiltration of methanol in an organic biofilter using peanut shells as medium.

PubMed

Ramirez-Lopez, E M; Corona-Hernandez, J; Avelar-Gonzalez, F J; Omil, F; Thalasso, F

2010-01-01

Biofiltration consists of a filter-bed of organic matter serving both as carrier for the active biomass and as nutrient supply, through which the polluted gas passes. The selection of a suitable medium material is of major importance to ensure optimum biofilter efficiency. Peanut shells are an agricultural byproduct locally available in large quantities at a low price in most tropical and sub-tropical countries. A previous study showed that peanut shells are physically and chemically suitable for biofiltration. This paper presents the results obtained during a six month biofiltration experiment using peanut shells as medium and methanol as air pollutant. It is shown that peanut shells are potentially suitable as biofiltration medium, since degradation rates of up to 30 kg MeOH/m(3)d with an empty bed residence time of 19s was obtained. The biofilter showed a good resistance to shock load and no operational problems were observed.

Optimization of an efficient semi-solid culture protocol for sterilization and plant regeneration of Centella asiatica (L.) as a medicinal herb.

PubMed

Moghaddam, Sina Siavash; Jaafar, Hawa Binti; Aziz, Maheran Abdul; Ibrahim, Rusli; Rahmat, Asmah Bt; Philip, Elizabeth

2011-01-01

The present study investigates the effects of different concentrations, as well as type of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and medium (MS, Duchefa) on the growth and development of Centella asiatica in semi-solid culture. In addition, a protocol for successful sterilization of C.asiatica explants prepared from field-grown plants highly exposed to fungal and bacterial contamination was determined. Results for sterilization treatments revealed that applying HgCl₂ and Plant Preservative Mixture (PPM) with cetrimide, bavistin and trimethoprim which were included after washing with tap water, followed by the addition of PPM in the medium, produced a very satisfactory result (clean culture 90 ± 1.33%) and TS5 (decon + cetrimide 1% + bavistin 150 mg/L + trimethoprim 50 mg/L + HgCl₂0.1% + PPM 2% soak and 2 mL/L in medium) was hence chosen as the best method of sterilization for C.asiatica. The synergistic combination of 6 benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in concentrations of 2 mg/L and 0.1 mg/L, respectively, in Duchefa medium compared with MS induced the most optimal percentage of sprouted shoots (93 ± 0.667), number of shoots (5.2 ± 0.079) and nodes (4 ± 0.067) per explant, leaf per explant (14 ± 0.107) and shoot length (4.1 ± 0.67 cm). Furthermore, optimum rooting frequency (95.2 ± 0.81%), the number of roots/shoot (7.5 ± 0.107) and the mean root length (4.5 ± 0.133 cm) occurred for shoots that were cultured on full-strength MS medium containing 0.5 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). In this study, the acclimatized plantlets were successfully established with almost 85% survival. The findings of this study have proven an efficient medium and PGR concentration for the mass propagation of C.asiatica. These findings would be useful in micropropagation and ex situ conservation of this plant.

Waveforms for optimal sub-keV high-order harmonics with synthesized two- or three-colour laser fields.

PubMed

Jin, Cheng; Wang, Guoli; Wei, Hui; Le, Anh-Thu; Lin, C D

2014-05-30

High-order harmonics extending to the X-ray region generated in a gas medium by intense lasers offer the potential for providing tabletop broadband light sources but so far are limited by their low conversion efficiency. Here we show that harmonics can be enhanced by one to two orders of magnitude without an increase in the total laser power if the laser's waveform is optimized by synthesizing two- or three-colour fields. The harmonics thus generated are also favourably phase-matched so that radiation is efficiently built up in the gas medium. Our results, combined with the emerging intense high-repetition MHz lasers, promise to increase harmonic yields by several orders to make harmonics feasible in the near future as general bright tabletop light sources, including intense attosecond pulses.

Organogenesis from transformed tomato explants.

PubMed

Frary, Anne; Van Eck, Joyce

2005-01-01

Tomato was one of the first crops for which a genetic transformation system was reported involving regeneration by organogenesis from Agrobacterium-transformed explants. Since the initial reports, various factors have been studied that affect the efficiency of tomato transformation and the technique has been useful for the isolation and identification of many genes involved in plant disease resistance, morphology and development. In this method, cotyledon explants from in vitro-grown seedlings are precultured overnight on a tobacco suspension feeder layer. The explants are then inoculated with Agrobacterium and returned to the feeder layer for a 2-d period of cocultivation. After cocultivation, the explants are transferred to an MS-based selective regeneration medium containing zeatin. Regenerated shoots are then rooted on a separate selective medium. This protocol has been used with several tomato cultivars and routinely yields transformation efficiencies of 10-15%.

Comparison of radial growth rate of the mutualistic fungus of Atta sexdens rubropilosa forel in two culture media

PubMed Central

Miyashira, C.H.; Tanigushi, D.G.; Gugliotta, A.M.; Santos, D.Y.A.C.

2010-01-01

In vitro culture of the mutualistic fungus of leaf-cutting ants is troublesome due to its low growth rate, which leads to storage problems and contaminants accumulation. This paper aims at comparing the radial growth rate of the mutualistic fungus of Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel in two different culture media (Pagnocca B and MEA LP). Although total MEA LP radial growth was greater all along the bioassay, no significant difference was detected between growth efficiencies of the two media. Previous evidences of low growth rate for this fungus were confirmed. Since these data cannot point greater efficiency of one culture medium over the other, MEA LP medium is indicated for in vitro studies with this mutualistic fungus due its simpler composition and translucent color, making the analysis easier. PMID:24031524

Titania-catalyzed radiofluorination of tosylated precursors in highly aqueous medium

DOE PAGES

Sergeev, Maxim E.; Morgia, Federica; Lazari, Mark; ...

2015-04-10

Nucleophilic radiofluorination is an efficient synthetic route to many positron-emission tomography (PET) probes, but removal of water to activate the cyclotron-produced [ 18F]fluoride has to be performed prior to reaction, which significantly increases overall radiolabeling time and causes radioactivity loss. In this paper, we demonstrate the possibility of 18F-radiofluorination in highly aqueous medium. The method utilizes titania nanoparticles, 1:1 (v/v) acetonitrile–thexyl alcohol solvent mixture, and tetra-n-butylammonium bicarbonate as a phase-transfer agent. Efficient radiolabeling is directly performed with aqueous [ 18F]fluoride without the need for a drying/azeotroping step to significantly reduce radiosynthesis time. High radiochemical purity of the target compound ismore » also achieved. Finally, the substrate scope of the synthetic strategy is demonstrated with a range of aromatic, aliphatic, and cycloaliphatic tosylated precursors.« less

Coupled Modeling of Flow, Transport, and Deformation during Hydrodynamically Unstable Displacement in Fractured Rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jha, B.; Juanes, R.

2015-12-01

Coupled processes of flow, transport, and deformation are important during production of hydrocarbons from oil and gas reservoirs. Effective design and implementation of enhanced recovery techniques such as miscible gas flooding and hydraulic fracturing requires modeling and simulation of these coupled proceses in geologic porous media. We develop a computational framework to model the coupled processes of flow, transport, and deformation in heterogeneous fractured rock. We show that the hydrocarbon recovery efficiency during unstable displacement of a more viscous oil with a less viscous fluid in a fractured medium depends on the mechanical state of the medium, which evolves due to permeability alteration within and around fractures. We show that fully accounting for the coupling between the physical processes results in estimates of the recovery efficiency in agreement with observations in field and lab experiments.

Efficiency improvement of an antibody production process by increasing the inoculum density.

PubMed

Hecht, Volker; Duvar, Sevim; Ziehr, Holger; Burg, Josef; Jockwer, Alexander

2014-01-01

Increasing economic pressure is the main driving force to enhance the efficiency of existing processes. We developed a perfusion strategy for a seed train reactor to generate a higher inoculum density for a subsequent fed batch production culture. A higher inoculum density can reduce culture duration without compromising product titers. Hence, a better capacity utilization can be achieved. The perfusion strategy was planned to be implemented in an existing large scale antibody production process. Therefore, facility and process constraints had to be considered. This article describes the initial development steps. Using a proprietary medium and a Chinese hamster ovary cell line expressing an IgG antibody, four different cell retention devices were compared in regard to retention efficiency and reliability. Two devices were selected for further process refinement, a centrifuge and an inclined gravitational settler. A concentrated feed medium was developed to meet facility constraints regarding maximum accumulated perfundate volume. A 2-day batch phase followed by 5 days of perfusion resulted in cell densities of 1.6 × 10(10) cells L(-1) , a 3.5 fold increase compared to batch cultivations. Two reactor volumes of concentrated feed medium were needed to achieve this goal. Eleven cultivations were carried out in bench and 50 L reactors showing acceptable reproducibility and ease of scale up. In addition, it was shown that at least three perfusion phases can be combined within a repeated perfusion strategy. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Optimization of factors influencing microinjection method for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of tomato.

PubMed

Vinoth, S; Gurusaravanan, P; Jayabalan, N

2013-02-01

A simple and efficient protocol for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of tomato was developed using combination of non-tissue culture and micropropagation systems. Initially, ESAM region of 1-day-old germinated tomato seeds were microinjected for one to five times with Agrobacterium inoculums (OD(600) = 0.2-1.0). The germinated seeds were cocultivated in the MS medium fortified with (0-200 mM) acetosyringone and minimal concentrations of (0-20 mg L(-1)) kanamycin, and the antibiotic concentration was doubled during the second round of selection. Bacterial concentration of OD(600) = 0.6 served as an optimal concentration for infection and the transformation efficiency was significantly higher of about 46.28 %. In another set of experiment, an improved and stable regeneration system was adapted for the explants from the selection medium. Four-day-old double cotyledonary nodal explants were excised from the microinjected seedlings and cultured onto the MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg L(-1) thidiazuron, 1.5 mg L(-1) indole-3-butyric acid, 30 mg L(-1) kanamycin, and 0-1.5 mg L(-1) adenine sulphate. Maximum of 9 out of 13 micropropagated shoots were shown positive to GUS assay. By this technique, the transformation efficiency was increased from 46.28 to 65.90 %. Thus, this paper reports the successful protocol for the mass production of transformants using microinjection and micropropagation techniques.

Efficient wireless power charging of electric vehicle by modifying the magnetic characteristics of the medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahmud, Mohammad Hazzaz

There is a developing enthusiasm for electric vehicle (EV) innovations as a result of their lessened fuel utilization and greenhouse emission especially through wireless power transfer (WPT) due to the convenience and continuous charging. Numerous research initiatives target on wireless power transfer (WPT) system in the attempt to improve the transportation for last few decades. But several problems like less efficiency, high frequency, long distance energy transfer etc. were always been occupied by the wireless power transfer system. Two ideas have been developed in this research to resolve the two main problems of WPT for electric vehicles which are low efficiency due to large distance between the two coils and slow charging time. As the first phase of study, a proper model, including the coils and cores were required. The selected model was a finite element (FE) modeling. Another part of this study was to create a modified cement that will act as a semi-conductive material for covering the transmitting antenna area. A high frequency wide band gap switch will be used for transferring high amount of power in a very short time. More over this research also proves that, if cores could be added with the transmitter coil and receiver coil then the output efficiency dramatically increased comparing with without core model of transmitter and receiver. The wireless charging is not restricted to parking lot, since it's planned to be embedded into parking space concrete or roadway concrete or asphalt. Therefore, it can also be installed at junctions (behind red lights), stop signs or any spot that the vehicle might stop for several moments. This technology will become more feasible, if the charging time decreases. Therefore, a new model of for wireless power transfer has been proposed in this study which has shown significant improvement. Another motive of this study was to improve the conductivity and permeability in such a way that the medium that is on the top of the transmitting antenna can transfer the power efficiently to the receiving antenna. The best efficiency of 83% was achieved by using this model and the medium.

Efficient plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis from callus cultures of Oncidium (Orchidaceae).

PubMed

Chen, J -T.; Chang, W -C.

2000-12-07

An efficient method was established for high frequency somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from callus cultures of a hybrid of sympodial orchid (Oncidium 'Gower Ramsey'). Compact and yellow-white embryogenic calli formed from root tips and cut ends of stem and leaf segments on 1/2 MS [11] basal medium supplemented with 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)-urea (TDZ, 0.1-3 mg/l), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, 3-10 mg/l) and peptone (1 g/l) for 4-7 weeks. Embryogenic callus was maintained by subculture on the same medium for callus induction and proliferated 2-4 times (fresh weight) in 1 month. Initiation of somatic embryogenesis and development up to the protocorm-like-bodies (PLBs) from callus cultures was achieved on hormone-free basal medium. Regenerants were recovered from somatic embryos (SEs) after transfer to the same medium and showed normal development. The optimized protocol required about 12-14 weeks from the initiation of callus to the plantlet formation. Generally, the frequency of embryo formation of root-derived callus was higher than stem- and leaf-derived calli. Combinations of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and TDZ significantly promoted embryo formation from callus cultures. The high-frequency (93.8%) somatic embryogenesis and an average of 29.1 SEs per callus (3x3 mm(2)) was found in root-derived callus on a basal medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l NAA and 3 mg/l TDZ. Almost all the SEs converted and the plantlets grew well with an almost 100% survival rate when potted in sphagnum moss and acclimatized in the greenhouse.

Micropropagation of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth-a multipurpose leguminous tree and assessment of genetic fidelity of micropropagated plants using molecular markers.

PubMed

Goyal, Pooja; Kachhwaha, Sumita; Kothari, S L

2012-04-01

An efficient and reproducible protocol has been developed for in vitro propagation of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth (a multipurpose leguminous tree) from field grown nodal segments (axillary bud). Shoot bud induction occurred from nodal explants of 15-years-old tree on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 4.4 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA) and multiplication was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 4.4 μM BA + 0.73 μM phenylacetic acid (PAA) i.e. up to 7 shoot buds in the period of 5-6 weeks. Addition of adenine sulphate (AdS) to this medium further enhanced the number of shoot buds up to 10. Proliferating shoot cultures were established by repeatedly subculturing primary culture on fresh medium (MS + 4.4 μM BA + 0.73 μM PAA) after every 25 days. In vitro rooting was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 2.46 μM Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) + 41.63 μM activated charcoal (AC). The micropropagated shoots with well developed roots were acclimatized in green house in pots containing sand, soil and manure (1:1:1). Genetic stability of micropropagated clones was evaluated using Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. The amplification products were monomorphic in micropropagated plants and similar to those of mother plant. No polymorphism was detected revealing the genetic uniformity of micropropagated plants. This is the first report of an efficient protocol for regeneration of P. dulce through organogenesis, which can be used for further genetic transformation and pharmaceutical purposes.

Teaching Kids with Learning Disabilities to Take Public Transit

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schoenfeld, Jane

2009-01-01

Taking public transit can make anyone nervous, especially in a large or medium-sized city where there are many different bus lines going many different places. The author's daughter, Anna, has multiple learning disabilities and may never learn to drive, but she wants to be as independent as possible so the author taught her to ride the bus. This…

On the Cable; The Television of Abundance. Report of the Sloan Commission on Cable Communications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, New York, NY.

The Sloan Commission report on cable television surveys the history and technology of cable television and suggests the prospects and possibilities the medium offers to the American public. The possible impact of cable television on over-the-air television is projected, and the possible shape of entertainment, news and opinion, public services,…

The igmspec database of public spectra probing the intergalactic medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prochaska, J. X.

2017-04-01

We describe v02 of igmspec, a database of publicly available ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared spectra that probe the intergalactic medium (IGM). This database, a child of the specdb repository in the specdb github organization, comprises 403 277 unique sources and 434 686 spectra obtained with the world's greatest observatories. All of these data are distributed in a single ≈ 25GB HDF5 file maintained at the University of California Observatories and the University of California, Santa Cruz. The specdb software package includes Python scripts and modules for searching the source catalog and spectral datasets, and software links to the linetools package for spectral analysis. The repository also includes software to generate private spectral datasets that are compliant with International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA) protocols and a Python-based interface for IVOA Simple Spectral Access queries. Future versions of igmspec will ingest other sources (e.g. gamma-ray burst afterglows) and other surveys as they become publicly available. The overall goal is to include every spectrum that effectively probes the IGM. Future databases of specdb may include publicly available galaxy spectra (exgalspec) and published supernovae spectra (snspec). The community is encouraged to join the effort on github: https://github.com/specdb.

Efficiency of Australian Technical and Further Education Providers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fieger, Peter; Villano, Renato; Cooksey, Ray

2016-01-01

Budgetary constraints on the public purse have led Australian Federal and State governments to focus increasingly on the efficiency of public institutions, including Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes. In this study, we define efficiency as the relationship between financial and administrative inputs and educational outputs. We…

Internet access for delivery of health information to South Australians older than 50.

PubMed

Wilson, Carlene; Flight, Ingrid; Hart, Elizabeth; Turnbull, Deborah; Cole, Steve; Young, Graeme

2008-04-01

An exploratory study to determine the proportion of people aged 50-76 years who have Internet access, the location of this access, predictive characteristics of such access, and preparedness to receive unsolicited health information through this medium. A random sample of 1,000 South Australians was identified from the Australian Electoral Commission roll and contacted by telephone in 2006. They were invited to answer questions about their access to the Internet and attitude towards receiving unsolicited health information via the Internet. Of those contacted, 41% provided information. Of this group, 59% indicated that they had Internet access, mostly at home. Men were more likely than women to have home access (p<0.05). Higher educational achievement, higher economic status and younger age were all significantly associated with access. Of those who had access, 65% would be willing to receive health information through the Internet. More than half the population older than 50 years has access to the Internet at some location, and there is a general acceptance of the possibility of receiving health-promoting material via this medium. However, delivery via the Internet alone would disadvantage those who are less educated, less financially well off and older. It is likely that a generational change in the entire nature of public communication will influence the efficiency and effectiveness of preventive health promotion delivery via the Internet. In order to facilitate improved health outcomes, issues of disparity of access must be addressed.

A novel liquid medium for the efficient growth of the salmonid pathogen Piscirickettsia salmonis and optimization of culture conditions.

PubMed

Henríquez, Mirtha; González, Ernesto; Marshall, Sergio H; Henríquez, Vitalia; Gómez, Fernando A; Martínez, Irene; Altamirano, Claudia

2013-01-01

Piscirickettsia salmonis is the bacterium that causes Piscirickettsiosis, a systemic disease of salmonid fish responsible for significant economic losses within the aquaculture industry worldwide. The growth of the bacterium for vaccine formulation has been traditionally accomplished by infecting eukaryotic cell lines, a process that involves high production costs and is time-consuming. Recent research has demonstrated that it is possible to culture pure P. salmonis in a blood containing (cell-free) medium. In the present work we demonstrate the growth of P. salmonis in a liquid medium free from blood and serum components, thus establishing a novel and simplified bacteriological medium. Additionally, the new media reported provides improved growth conditions for P. salmonis, where biomass concentrations of approximately 800 mg cell dry weight L(-1) were obtained, about eight times higher than those reported for the blood containing medium. A 2- level full factorial design was employed to evaluate the significance of the main medium components on cell growth and an optimal temperature range of 23-27°C was determined for the microorganism to grow in the novel liquid media. Therefore, these results represent a breakthrough regarding P. salmonis research in order to optimize pure P. salmonis growth in liquid blood and serum free medium.

Measuring and Benchmarking Technical Efficiency of Public Hospitals in Tianjin, China

PubMed Central

Li, Hao; Dong, Siping

2015-01-01

China has long been stuck in applying traditional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models to measure technical efficiency of public hospitals without bias correction of efficiency scores. In this article, we have introduced the Bootstrap-DEA approach from the international literature to analyze the technical efficiency of public hospitals in Tianjin (China) and tried to improve the application of this method for benchmarking and inter-organizational learning. It is found that the bias corrected efficiency scores of Bootstrap-DEA differ significantly from those of the traditional Banker, Charnes, and Cooper (BCC) model, which means that Chinese researchers need to update their DEA models for more scientific calculation of hospital efficiency scores. Our research has helped shorten the gap between China and the international world in relative efficiency measurement and improvement of hospitals. It is suggested that Bootstrap-DEA be widely applied into afterward research to measure relative efficiency and productivity of Chinese hospitals so as to better serve for efficiency improvement and related decision making. PMID:26396090

Search efficiency of biased migration towards stationary or moving targets in heterogeneously structured environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azimzade, Youness; Mashaghi, Alireza

2017-12-01

Efficient search acts as a strong selective force in biological systems ranging from cellular populations to predator-prey systems. The search processes commonly involve finding a stationary or mobile target within a heterogeneously structured environment where obstacles limit migration. An open generic question is whether random or directionally biased motions or a combination of both provide an optimal search efficiency and how that depends on the motility and density of targets and obstacles. To address this question, we develop a simple model that involves a random walker searching for its targets in a heterogeneous medium of bond percolation square lattice and used mean first passage time (〈T 〉 ) as an indication of average search time. Our analysis reveals a dual effect of directional bias on the minimum value of 〈T 〉 . For a homogeneous medium, directionality always decreases 〈T 〉 and a pure directional migration (a ballistic motion) serves as the optimized strategy, while for a heterogeneous environment, we find that the optimized strategy involves a combination of directed and random migrations. The relative contribution of these modes is determined by the density of obstacles and motility of targets. Existence of randomness and motility of targets add to the efficiency of search. Our study reveals generic and simple rules that govern search efficiency. Our findings might find application in a number of areas including immunology, cell biology, ecology, and robotics.

Solid-stemmed spring wheat cultivars give better androgenic response than hollow-stemmed cultivars in anther culture.

PubMed

Weigt, Dorota; Kiel, Angelika; Nawracała, Jerzy; Pluta, Mateusz; Łacka, Agnieszka

2016-01-01

Solid-stemmed spring wheat cultivars ( Triticum aestivum L.) are resistant to the stem sawfly ( Cephus cinctus Nort.) and lodging. Anthers of 24 spring wheat cultivars with varying content of pith in the stem were used in the experiment. All were classified into three groups: solid, medium-solid and hollow stems. There was considerable influence of the cultivar on callus formation and green plant regeneration. The highest efficiency of green plant regeneration (24%) was observed for the solid-stemmed AC Abbey cultivar. There was no regeneration from the explants of four cultivars: CLTR 7027, Alentejano, Marquis and Bombona. Principal component analysis showed no differences between the cases under observation (callus induction and green plant regeneration) in their response to pre-treatment temperatures (4 and 8°C). The examination of the effects of various auxin types in the induction medium on callus formation and green plant regeneration revealed that the strongest stimulation of these processes was observed in the C17 medium with 2,4-D and dicamba. The efficiency of callus formation and green plant regeneration was greater in solid-stemmed cultivars than in hollow-stemmed cultivars.

An efficient in vitro shoot regeneration from leaf petiolar explants and ex vitro rooting of Bixa orellana L.- A dye yielding plant.

PubMed

Mohammed, Arifullah; Chiruvella, Kishore K; Namsa, Nima D; Ghanta, Rama Gopal

2015-07-01

Bixa orellana L. (Bixaceae) is a multipurpose tree grown for the production of commercially important dyes. In the present study, an efficient, reproducible protocol was developed for direct plant regeneration from in vitro derived petiole explants of Bixa orellana L. Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 2-isopentenyl adenine (9.8 μM) and naphthalene acetic acid (10.7 μM) was found to be optimum for production of high frequency of shoot organogenesis. Subculturing of the shoots onto the fresh MS medium containing similar concentrations of 2-iP (9.8 μM) and NAA (10.7 μM) produced elongated shoots. Elongated shoots when placed onto MS medium supplemented with 1.7 μM indole-3-acetic acid and 14.7 μM 2-iP produced optimal rooting. Rooted plantlets were acclimatized and transplanted to the field successfully. Histological investigation revealed the origin of shoot primordia, from sub-epidermal cells of petiole explants. The regeneration protocol developed in this study can be useful for mass in vitro propagation and effective genetic transformation of commercially important edible dye yielding tree species.

Impact of Cosmic-Ray Transport on Galactic Winds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farber, R.; Ruszkowski, M.; Yang, H.-Y. K.; Zweibel, E. G.

2018-04-01

The role of cosmic rays generated by supernovae and young stars has very recently begun to receive significant attention in studies of galaxy formation and evolution due to the realization that cosmic rays can efficiently accelerate galactic winds. Microscopic cosmic-ray transport processes are fundamental for determining the efficiency of cosmic-ray wind driving. Previous studies modeled cosmic-ray transport either via a constant diffusion coefficient or via streaming proportional to the Alfvén speed. However, in predominantly cold, neutral gas, cosmic rays can propagate faster than in the ionized medium, and the effective transport can be substantially larger; i.e., cosmic rays can decouple from the gas. We perform three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamical simulations of patches of galactic disks including the effects of cosmic rays. Our simulations include the decoupling of cosmic rays in the cold, neutral interstellar medium. We find that, compared to the ordinary diffusive cosmic-ray transport case, accounting for the decoupling leads to significantly different wind properties, such as the gas density and temperature, significantly broader spatial distribution of cosmic rays, and higher wind speed. These results have implications for X-ray, γ-ray, and radio emission, and for the magnetization and pollution of the circumgalactic medium by cosmic rays.

Monolithic multigrid method for the coupled Stokes flow and deformable porous medium system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, P.; Rodrigo, C.; Gaspar, F. J.; Oosterlee, C. W.

2018-01-01

The interaction between fluid flow and a deformable porous medium is a complicated multi-physics problem, which can be described by a coupled model based on the Stokes and poroelastic equations. A monolithic multigrid method together with either a coupled Vanka smoother or a decoupled Uzawa smoother is employed as an efficient numerical technique for the linear discrete system obtained by finite volumes on staggered grids. A specialty in our modeling approach is that at the interface of the fluid and poroelastic medium, two unknowns from the different subsystems are defined at the same grid point. We propose a special discretization at and near the points on the interface, which combines the approximation of the governing equations and the considered interface conditions. In the decoupled Uzawa smoother, Local Fourier Analysis (LFA) helps us to select optimal values of the relaxation parameter appearing. To implement the monolithic multigrid method, grid partitioning is used to deal with the interface updates when communication is required between two subdomains. Numerical experiments show that the proposed numerical method has an excellent convergence rate. The efficiency and robustness of the method are confirmed in numerical experiments with typically small realistic values of the physical coefficients.

LASER APPLICATIONS AND OTHER TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS: Holographic sensors for diagnostics of solution components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraiskii, A. V.; Postnikov, V. A.; Suitanov, T. T.; Khamidulin, A. V.

2010-02-01

The properties of holographic sensors of two types are studied. The sensors are based on a three-dimensional polymer-network matrix of copolymers of acrylamide, acrylic acid (which are sensitive to the medium acidity and bivalent metal ions) and aminophenylboronic acid (sensitive to glucose). It is found that a change in the ionic composition of a solution results in changes in the distance between layers and in the diffraction efficiency of holograms. Variations in the shape of spectral lines, which are attributed to the inhomogeneity of a sensitive layer, and nonmonotonic changes in the emulsion thickness and diffraction efficiency were observed during transient processes. The composition of the components of a hydrogel medium is selected for systems which can be used as a base for glucose sensors with the mean holographic response in the region of physiological glucose concentration in model solutions achieving 40 nm/(mmol L-1). It is shown that the developed holographic sensors can be used for the visual and instrumental determination of the medium acidity, alcohol content, ionic strength, bivalent metal salts and the quality of water, in particular, for drinking.

Improving HIV Surveillance Data for Public Health Action in Washington, DC: A Novel Multiorganizational Data-Sharing Method

PubMed Central

Smart, JC

2016-01-01

Background The National HIV/AIDS Strategy calls for active surveillance programs for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to more accurately measure access to and retention in care across the HIV care continuum for persons living with HIV within their jurisdictions and to identify persons who may need public health services. However, traditional public health surveillance methods face substantial technological and privacy-related barriers to data sharing. Objective This study developed a novel data-sharing approach to improve the timeliness and quality of HIV surveillance data in three jurisdictions where persons may often travel across the borders of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Methods A deterministic algorithm of approximately 1000 lines was developed, including a person-matching system with Enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS) variables. Person matching was defined in categories (from strongest to weakest): exact, very high, high, medium high, medium, medium low, low, and very low. The algorithm was verified using conventional component testing methods, manual code inspection, and comprehensive output file examination. Results were validated by jurisdictions using internal review processes. Results Of 161,343 uploaded eHARS records from District of Columbia (N=49,326), Maryland (N=66,200), and Virginia (N=45,817), a total of 21,472 persons were matched across jurisdictions over various strengths in a matching process totaling 21 minutes and 58 seconds in the privacy device, leaving 139,871 uniquely identified with only one jurisdiction. No records matched as medium low or low. Over 80% of the matches were identified as either exact or very high matches. Three separate validation methods were conducted for this study, and they all found ≥90% accuracy between records matched by this novel method and traditional matching methods. Conclusions This study illustrated a novel data-sharing approach that may facilitate timelier and better quality HIV surveillance data for public health action by reducing the effort needed for traditional person-matching reviews without compromising matching accuracy. Future analyses will examine the generalizability of these findings to other applications. PMID:27227157

Publications | Grid Modernization | NREL

Science.gov Websites

Photovoltaics: Trajectories and Challenges Cover of Efficient Relaxations for Joint Chance Constrained AC Optimal Power Flow publication Efficient Relaxations for Joint Chance Constrained AC Optimal Power Flow

42 CFR 440.370 - Economy and efficiency.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Economy and efficiency. 440.370 Section 440.370 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SERVICES: GENERAL PROVISIONS Benchmark Benefit and Benchmark-Equivalent Coverage § 440.370 Economy and efficiency....

78 FR 7306 - Energy Efficiency Program for Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Public Meeting and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-01

... Efficiency Program for Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document for Commercial and Industrial Fans and Blowers AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable... and industrial fans and blowers. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has...

78 FR 7304 - Energy Efficiency Program for Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Public Meeting and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-01

... Efficiency Program for Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document for Commercial and Industrial Pumps AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy... industrial pumps. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a Framework...

Annual Report: DOE Advanced Combustion Systems & Fuels R&D; Light-Duty Diesel Combustion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Busch, Stephen

Despite compliance issues in previous years, automakers have demonstrated that the newest generation of diesel power trains are capable of meeting all federal and state regulations (EPA, 2016). Diesels continue to be a cost-effective, efficient, powerful propulsion source for many light- and medium-duty vehicle applications (Martec, 2016). Even modest reductions in the fuel consumption of light- and medium duty diesel vehicles in the U.S. will eliminate millions of tons of CO2 emissions per year. Continued improvement of diesel combustion systems will play an important role in reducing fleet fuel consumption, but these improvements will require an unprecedented scientific understanding ofmore » how changes in engine design and calibration affect the mixture preparation, combustion, and pollutant formation processes that take place inside the cylinder. The focus of this year’s research is to provide insight into the physical mechanisms responsible for improved thermal efficiency observed with a stepped-lip piston. Understanding how piston design can influence efficiency will help engineers develop and optimize new diesel combustion systems.« less

Chemical Oxygen Demand abatement in sewage using Micro-Aeration Enhanced Ecological Floating Bed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Hongle; Zhou, Gaofeng; Liu, Yiqing; Tan, Jiancong; Fu, Yongsheng

2018-02-01

The traditional ecological floating bed combined with micro-aeration system and artificial medium was developed for the removal of contaminants and remediation of surface water. This micro-aeration enhanced ecological floating bed (MAEEFB) consisted of aeration unit, microbial processing unit and aquatic plant unit. Batch experiments were conducted in different operating conditions on the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the sewage using MAEEFB. The removal rate of COD by MAEEFB, enhanced ecological floating bed (EEFB) and traditional ecological floating bed (TEFB) in the same reaction conditions was 59.2%, 56.9% and 30.6%, respectively, indicating that the combination of micro-aeration system and artificial medium could enhance the removal efficiency of COD in TEFB. In MAEEFB, the aeration intensity should be designed reasonablely considering both treatment efficiency and operation cost. Only increasing the specific surface area of the packing cannot effectively improve the purification efficiency of water. Factors like packing material, ability of intercepting organics and complicated extent of microorganisms attaching on the packing should also be considered.

Multi-object medium resolution optical spectroscopy at the E-ELT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spanò, Paolo; Bonifacio, Piercarlo

2008-07-01

We present the design of a compact medium resolution spectrograph (R~15,000-20,000), intended to operate on a 42m telescope in seeing-limited mode. Our design takes full advantage of some new technology optical components, like volume phase holographic (VPH) gratings. At variance with the choice of complex large echelle spectrographs, which have been the standard on 8m class telescopes, we selected an efficient VPH spectrograph with a limited beam diameter, in order to keep overall dimensions and costs low, using proven available technologies. To obtain such a resolution, we need to moderately slice the telescope image plane onto the spectrograph entrance slit (5-6 slices). Then, standard telescope AO-mode (GLAO, Ground Layer Adaptive Optics) can be used over a large field of view (~10 arcmin), without loosing efficiency. Multiplex capabilities can greatly increase the observing efficiency. A robotic pick-up mirror system can be implemented, within conventional environmental conditions (temperature, pressure, gravity, size), demanding only standard mechanical and optical tolerances. A modular approach allows us scaling multiplex capabilities on overall costs and available space.

[Evaluation of transfection effectiveness using fluorescein-labelled oligonucleotides and entraster-R siRNA transfection into Plasmodium falciparum].

PubMed

Zhou, Hong-Chang; Gao, Yu-Hui; Shao, Sheng-Wen; Zhang, Hui; Zhang, Ting

2013-12-01

The cultured Plasmodium falciparum parasites were synchronized twice by 5% sorbitol treatment twice (8-hour window), and then incubated at 37 degrees C for 16 h. Parasites were transfected with fluorescein-labelled oligonucleotides (group A) or fluorescein-labelled oligonucleotides+Entranster-R siRNA transfection reagent (group B). After 5 h a part of parasites was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The rest of parasites were washed with RPMI 1640 medium, and then incubated with 500 microl new medium containing 2% fresh erythrocytes for another 12 h, and detected by flow cytometry. The fluorescein-labelled oligonucleotides were localized in erythrocytes in group B, but nearly no fluorescence was observed for group A. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that the transfection efficiency of group B [(47.40 +/- 3.39)%] was higher than that of group A [(0.60 +/- 0.27)%]. In the second cell cycle, the transfection efficiency in group B was (26.85 +/- 2.90)%, while that of group A was nearly zero. The results indicated that Entranster-R siRNA transfection reagent may increase the oligonucleotides transfection efficiency.

Effect of different organic matters on flocculation of Chlorella sorokiniana and optimization of flocculation conditions in swine manure wastewater.

PubMed

Zhang, Bo; Chen, Sanfeng

2015-09-01

In this study, flocculation of Chlorella sorokiniana cultivated in swine manure wastewater, BG-11 medium and BG-11 medium supplemented with different organic matters (glucose, urea and tryptone) was investigated. The results demonstrated that the minimum amount of Al(3+) required for complete flocculation in wastewater would increase substantially, and flocculation efficiency became highly sensitive to pH. Tryptone could cause similar extent of inhibition on flocculation as in wastewater. Meanwhile, glucose could increase concentrations of Algogenic Organic Matter (AOM), inhibiting flocculation strongly at higher pH, including flocculation induced by Al(3+) and autoflocculation. However, urea had little effect on flocculation of C. sorokiniana. Moreover, the major factors: dilution times, pH and flocculants dosage, which had significant impact on flocculation efficiency of C. sorokiniana in piggery wastewater, were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal flocculation efficiency (100%) was achieved at pH 8.5, 7-folds of dilution and 52.14 mg L(-1) of Al(3+). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

78 FR 12251 - Energy Efficiency Program for Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Public Meeting and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-22

... Efficiency Program for Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework... the notice of public meeting and availability of the Framework Document pertaining to the development of energy conservation standards for commercial and industrial fan and blower equipment published on...

"Smaller Schools Are Good"...It Depends!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hill, Franklin

2001-01-01

Analyzes three high school sizes: 400-student "Private" school (small), 1,600-student school (medium), and 3,000-plus-student school (extra large). Uses four factors in comparative analysis: Equity, anonymity, program quality, and cost efficiency. (PKP)

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Model (GEM) for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Compliance

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Model (GEM) is a free, desktop computer application that estimates the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel efficiency performance of specific aspects of heavy-duty vehicles.

Pins and posters: Paradigms for content publication on situated displays.

PubMed

José, Rui; Pinto, Hélder; Silva, Bruno; Melro, Ana

2013-01-01

Public-display systems are still far from being a medium for meeting people's diverse communication goals. Moving toward open displays will require publication paradigms that can overcome the challenges of meaningful engagement and enable users to fully understand and control the publication process. The metaphors of pins and posters have inspired two complementary paradigms for public displays. Researchers implemented these paradigms in the Instant Places system, which they deployed on 10 displays in diverse urban locations for six months. They collected user and system data regarding the users' practices. The findings improve the understanding of what might drive user-generated content in networks of urban displays. Such knowledge can inform the design of tools and procedures for situated publication in public displays.

In vitro propagation of Homalomena aromatica Schott., an endangered aromatic medicinal herb of Northeast India.

PubMed

Raomai, Shiveirou; Kumaria, Suman; Tandon, Pramod

2013-04-01

A successful report on the in vitro propagation of Homalomena aromatica via rhizome axillary bud multiplication is presented. Rhizome bud explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with various concentrations of cytokinins to induce multiple shoot formation for micropropagation. The highest number of shoots was achieved in MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l(-1) 6-benzylaminopurine. The regenerated shoots rooted most efficiently on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l(-1) α-naphthalene acetic acid. The regenerated plantlets showed no morphological differences from the parent plant. This protocol takes approximately 6 months to reach the acclimatization stage from the initiation stage and facilitates commercial and rapid propagation of H. aromatica.

Metal-coated magnetic nanoparticles in an optically active medium: A nonreciprocal metamaterial

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christofi, Aristi; Stefanou, Nikolaos

2018-03-01

We report on the optical response of a nonreciprocal bianisotropic metamaterial, consisting of spherical, metal-coated magnetic nanoparticles embedded in an optically active medium, thus combining gyrotropy, plasmonic resonances, and chirality in a versatile design. The corresponding effective medium is deduced by an appropriate two-step generalized Maxwell-Garnett homogenization scheme. The associated photonic band structure and transmission spectra are obtained through a six-vector formulation of Maxwell equations, which provides an efficient framework for general bianisotropic structures going beyond existing approaches that involve cumbersome nonlinear eigenvalue problems. Our results, analyzed and discussed in the light of group theory, provide evidence that the proposed metamaterial exhibits some remarkable frequency-tunable properties, such as strong, plasmon-enhanced nonreciprocal polarization azimuth rotation and magnetochiral dichroism.

Development of thermally controlled HALNA DPSSL for inertial fusion energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsumoto, Osamu; Yasuhara, Ryo; Kurita, Takashi; Ikegawa, Tadashi; Sekine, Takashi; Kawashima, Toshiyuki; Kawanaka, Junji; Norimatsu, Takayoshi; Miyanaga, Noriaki; Izawa, Yasukazu; Nakatsuka, Masahiro; Miyamoto, Masahiro; Kan, Hirofumi; Furukawa, Hiroyuki; Motokoshi, Shinji

2006-02-01

We have been developing a high average-power laser system for science and industry applications that can generate an output of 20 J per pulse at 10-Hz operation. Water-cooled Nd:glass zig-zag slab is pumped with 803-nm AlGaAs laser-diode modules. To efficiently extract energy from the laser medium, the laser beam alternately passes through dual zig-zag slab amplifier modules. Twin LD modules equipped on each slab amplifier module pump the laser medium with a peak power density of 2.5 kW/cm2. In high power laser system, thermal load in the laser medium causes serious thermal effects. We arranged cladding glasses on the top and bottom of the laser slab to reduce thermal effects.

In vitro propagation via organogenesis and synthetic seeds of Urginea altissima (L.f.) Baker: a threatened medicinal plant.

PubMed

Baskaran, Ponnusamy; Kumari, Aloka; Van Staden, Johannes

2018-01-01

Efficient in vitro propagation systems via organogenesis and synthetic seeds were developed for the first time for conservation and commercial propagation from leaf or longitudinal thin cell layer (lTCL) leaf or shoot-tip explants of Urginea altissima . Various plant growth regulators and phloroglucinol were used in semi-solid and liquid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium to establish multiplication of shoots and roots for in vitro regeneration. Of the various treatments, the highest number of shoots (17.4 per lTCL leaf explant) was obtained on liquid MS medium supplemented with 10 µM meta -Topolin ( m T) and 2 µM benzyladenine followed by transferal to semi-solid MS media. The shoot tips were encapsulated with liquid MS medium plus 3% (w/v) sodium alginate and 100 mM calcium chloride. Adventitious shoot regeneration (91.0%; 12.6 shoots per synthetic seed) of synthetic seeds was achieved on semi-solid MS medium supplemented with 10 µM m T and 2 µM naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) after 15 days of storage in darkness at 25 ± 2 °C. Regenerated shoots rooted (9.8 roots per shoot; 6.5 cm long) efficiently when transferred to 5 µM indole-3-butyric acid and 2.5 µM NAA. All the plantlets were successfully acclimatized (100%) in a vermiculite:soil (1:1 v/v) mixture in the greenhouse.

Light quanta modulated characteristics of Ni uptake by Brassica juncea seedlings: the interdependence of plant metal concentration and biomass.

PubMed

Dasgupta-Schubert, N; Whelan, T; Reyes, M A; Lloren, C; Brandt, T T; Persans, M W

2007-01-01

The relationships between the concentration of metal in the growth medium, Cs, the concentration of metal absorbed by the plant, Cp, and the total biomass achieved, M, all of which are factors relevant to the efficiency of metal uptake and tolerance by the plant, have been investigated via the physiological response of Brassica juncea seedlings to Ni stress. The factorial growth experiments treated the Ni concentration in agar medium and the diurnal light quanta as independently variable parameters. Observations included the evidence of light enhancement of Ni toxicity in the root, as well as at the whole-plant level. The shoot mass index possibly is an indicator of the amount of shoot metal sequestration in B. juncea, as are the logarithmic variation of Cp with Cs and the power-law dependence of M on Cp. The sum total of these observations indicates that, for the Ni accumulating plant B. juncea, the overall metabolic allocation to either growth or metal tolerance of the plant is important. Neither a rapid biomass increase nor a high metal absorbed concentration favored the removal of high metal mass from the medium. Rather, the plants with a moderate rate of biomass growth and a moderate absorbed metal concentration demonstrated the ability to remove the maximum mass of metal from the medium. The implication of these results as related to the extant model of phyoextraction efficiency is discussed.

Improving primary health care facility performance in Ghana: efficiency analysis and fiscal space implications.

PubMed

Novignon, Jacob; Nonvignon, Justice

2017-06-12

Health centers in Ghana play an important role in health care delivery especially in deprived communities. They usually serve as the first line of service and meet basic health care needs. Unfortunately, these facilities are faced with inadequate resources. While health policy makers seek to increase resources committed to primary healthcare, it is important to understand the nature of inefficiencies that exist in these facilities. Therefore, the objectives of this study are threefold; (i) estimate efficiency among primary health facilities (health centers), (ii) examine the potential fiscal space from improved efficiency and (iii) investigate the efficiency disparities in public and private facilities. Data was from the 2015 Access Bottlenecks, Cost and Equity (ABCE) project conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. The Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) was used to estimate efficiency of health facilities. Efficiency scores were then used to compute potential savings from improved efficiency. Outpatient visits was used as output while number of personnel, hospital beds, expenditure on other capital items and administration were used as inputs. Disparities in efficiency between public and private facilities was estimated using the Nopo matching decomposition procedure. Average efficiency score across all health centers included in the sample was estimated to be 0.51. Also, average efficiency was estimated to be about 0.65 and 0.50 for private and public facilities, respectively. Significant disparities in efficiency were identified across the various administrative regions. With regards to potential fiscal space, we found that, on average, facilities could save about GH₵11,450.70 (US$7633.80) if efficiency was improved. We also found that fiscal space from efficiency gains varies across rural/urban as well as private/public facilities, if best practices are followed. The matching decomposition showed an efficiency gap of 0.29 between private and public facilities. There is need for primary health facility managers to improve productivity via effective and efficient resource use. Efforts to improve efficiency should focus on training health workers and improving facility environment alongside effective monitoring and evaluation exercises.

Electrochemical studies of aluminium 7075 reinforced with Al2O3/SiCp hybrid composites in acid chloride medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ravikumar, M.; Reddappa, H. N.; Suresh, R.

2018-04-01

The study of corrosion rate and the inhibition efficiency of inhibitor for Al 7075 and Al 7075/Al2O3/SiCp corrosion in 1 M hydrochloride acid solution under Laboratory temperature by electrochemical measurements process. The efficiency increases by increasing of wt. % of reinforcement. The premier efficiency 99.1% is observed in the presence of reinforcement. The Electrochemical Impedance spectroscopic (EIS) method exhibit the capacitive loop representing the corrosion effect was controlled by the charge transfer method.

Advanced Boost System Developing for High EGR Applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sun, Harold

2012-09-30

To support industry efforts of clean and efficient internal combustion engine development for passenger and commercial applications • This program focuses on turbocharger improvement for medium and light duty diesel applications, from complete system optimization percepective to enable commercialization of advanced diesel combustion technologies, such as HCCI/LTC. • Improve combined turbocharger efficiency up to 10% or fuel economy by 3% on FTP cycle at Tier II Bin 5 emission level.

High-gain (43 dB), high-power (40 W), highly efficient multipass amplifier at 995 nm in Yb:LiYF4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manni, Jeffrey; Harris, Dennis; Fan, Tso Yee

2018-06-01

A simple implementation of a multipass amplifier along with the use of a cryogenic Yb:LiYF4 (YLF) gain medium has enabled the demonstration of a bulk amplifier with an unprecedented combination of large-signal gain (43 dB), efficiency (>50% optical), average output power (40 W) and a near-diffraction-limited output beam.

Ejector-turbine studies and experimental data. Final report, August 1, 1979-October 31, 1982

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Minardi, J.E.; Lawson, M.O.; Krolak, R.V.

1982-11-01

An innovative low-power Rankine turbine concept is described which promises competitive efficiencies, low cost, significant reduction in rpm, low maintenance, and long-life operation over similarly rated turbines. The cycle uses a highly efficient two-fluid ejector which greatly lowers the turbine inlet pressure and temperature. The two-fluid ejector cycle is shown by theoretical studies to be capable of transferring energy at efficiencies in excess of 90% from a high-power flux fluid medium to a low-power flux fluid medium. The volume flow of the thermodynamic fluid can be augmented by as much as one-hundred fold. For very low-power turbine applications this couldmore » result in far-more-favorable turbine sizes and rpm. One major application for this type turbine is the heating and cooling with heat pumps. The concept permits engine cycles that cover an extremely broad range of peak temperatures, including those corresponding to stoichiometric combustion of hydrocarbon fuels, waste heat sources, and solar. Actual test data indicated ejector efficiencies as high as 85%. A two-fluid, ejector turbine was designed and tested. The turbine achieved 94% of design power. Additional data indicated that the ejector attached to the turbine operated on the supersonic branch.« less

Thermodynamic analysis of performance improvement by reheat on the CO2 transcritical power cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuo, Hanfei

2012-06-01

The CO2 transcritical rankine power cycle has been widely investigated recently, because of its better temperature glide matching between sensible heat source and working fluid in vapor generator, and its desirable qualities, such as moderate critical point, little environment impact and low cost. A reheat CO2 transcritical power cycle with two stage expansion is presented to improve baseline cycle performance in this paper. Energy and exergy analysis are carried out to investigate effects of important parameters on cycle performance. The main results show that reheat cycle performance is sensitive to the variation of medium pressures and the optimum medium pressures exist for maximizing work output and thermal efficiency, respectively. Reheat cycle is compared to baseline cycle under the same conditions. More significant improvements by reheat are obtained at lower turbine inlet temperatures and larger high cycle pressure. Work output improvement is much higher than thermal efficiency improvement, because extra waste heat is required to reheat CO2. Based on second law analysis, exergy efficiency of reheat cycle is also higher than that of baseline cycle, because more useful work is converted from waste heat. Reheat with two stage expansion has great potential to improve thermal efficiency and especially net work output of a CO2 transcritical power cycle using a low-grade heat source.

Enhanced performances for top-emitting white organic light-emitting diodes by utilizing green phosphor as energy transfer medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Lingling; Bao, Yiyang; Zhang, Yanan; Peng, Ling; Zhu, Wenjing; Zhao, Yue; Xu, Yewen; Chen, Shufen

2016-06-01

In top-emitting white organic light-emitting diodes (TWOLEDs), the device performances attribute to the several important factors, such as exciton profile, energy transfer, and microcavity effect. In this paper, a TWOLED containing a heterojunction blue emission layer (EML) and a red EML is reported. A host material with high triplet energy level is employed for the adjacent blue and red EML, while the inefficient red emission reduces the emission efficiency of the TWOLED. In order to enhance the red emission efficiency, mixed-host and co-doping technologies are used in the red EML. By mixing the hole transporting and electron transporting host materials, the exciton recombination zone extends to the red EML to increase the red emission intensity and reduce the efficiency roll-off. And by co-doping a green phosphor into the red EML as the energy transfer medium, the energy transfer rate is enhanced, and then the current efficiency increases. Besides, both the mixed-host and co-doping change the carrier transport and the exciton recombination zone, which further affects the microcavity resonance in the devices. Due to the enhancement on the red emission intensity and the shift of resonant wavelength, the chromaticity of the TWOLED is improved.

Silicon availability modifies nutrient use efficiency and content, C:N:P stoichiometry, and productivity of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neu, Silke; Schaller, Jörg; Dudel, E. Gert

2017-01-01

Silicon (Si) is known as beneficial element for graminaceous plants. The importance of Si for plant functioning of cereals was recently emphasized. However, about the effect of Si availability on biomass production, grain yield, nutrient status and nutrient use efficiency for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), as one of the most important crop plants worldwide, less is known so far. Consequently, we assessed the effect of a broad range of supply levels of amorphous SiO2 on wheat plant performance. Our results revealed that Si is readily taken up and accumulated basically in aboveground vegetative organs. Carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) status of plants were altered in response to varying Si supply. In bulk straw biomass C concentration decreased with increasing Si supply, while P concentration increased from slight limitation towards optimal nutrition. Thereby, aboveground biomass production increased at low to medium supply levels of silica whereas grain yield increased at medium supply level only. Nutrient use efficiency was improved by Si insofar that biomass production was enhanced at constant nitrogen (N) status of substrate and plants. Consequently, our findings imply fundamental influences of Si on C turnover, P availability and nitrogen use efficiency for wheat as a major staple crop.

Uniform, stable supply of medium for in vitro cell culture using a robust chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Juan; Liu, Chong; Jiang, Yang; Liu, Tao; Chen, Li; Liu, Bo; Li, Jingmin

2018-06-01

A uniform, stable supply of medium is important for in vitro cell culture. In this paper, a microfluidic device is presented for culturing cells inside a robust chamber with continuous perfusion of medium. The device consists of a main channel, two bifurcated channels and a culture chamber. The culture chamber connects to the bifurcated channels via multiple paths, and distributes symmetrically on the main channel, to improve the efficiency of medium exchange. Furthermore, regular polygonal chambers with various numbers of edges have been designed, to study the effects of chamber shape on flow fields. The finite element method has been employed to predict the effects of multiple paths on the uniformity and stability of flow fields in the culture chamber. Particle tracking technology has been used to evaluate the flow fields in the chambers, and PC-12 cells have been cultured using the microfluidic device, to test its validity. The results of simulation and experiment indicate that the microfluidic design could provide a continuous interstitial-like flow microenvironment, with a relatively stable and uniform supply of medium.

Efficient in vitro propagation of Artemisia nilagirica var. nilagirica (Indian wormwood) and assessment of genetic fidelity of micropropagated plants.

PubMed

Shinde, Smita; Sebastian, Joseph Kadanthottu; Jain, Jyothi Ramesh; Hanamanthagouda, Manohar Shirugumbi; Murthy, Hosakatte Niranjana

2016-10-01

A reliable protocol has been established for in vitro propagation of Artemisia nilagirica var. nilagirica (Indian wormwood), a valuable medicinal plant from India. A highly proliferating organogenic callus was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.5 µM IAA when nodal explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various growth regulators. Further, highest regeneration frequency (83.3 %) of adventitious shoots was observed, when the callus was sub-cultured on MS medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; 2.5 µM) along with 7.5 µM 2-isopentenyl adenine (2-iP). An optimal of 10.16 ± 2.24 shoots were regenerated on medium supplemented with 2.5 µM BAP + 7.5 µM 2-iP. Quarter strength MS medium supplemented with 10 µM IBA was effective for rooting of the shoots. Ex-vitro plants were normal and were established successfully. Cytological and molecular marker studies showed that regenerated plants showed genetic stability in micro-propagated plants.

Efficiency of the Self Adjusting File, WaveOne, Reciproc, ProTaper and hand files in root canal debridement.

PubMed

Topcu, K Meltem; Karatas, Ertugrul; Ozsu, Damla; Ersoy, Ibrahim

2014-07-01

The aim of this study was to compare the canal debridement capabilities of three single file systems, ProTaper, and K-files in oval-shaped canals. Seventy-five extracted human mandibular central incisors with oval-shaped root canals were selected. A radiopaque contrast medium (Metapex; Meta Biomed Co. Ltd., Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea) was introduced into the canal systems and the self-adjusting file (SAF), WaveOne, Reciproc, ProTaper, and K-files were used for the instrumentation of the canals. The percentage of removed contrast medium was calculated using pre- and post-operative radiographs. An overall comparison between the groups revealed that the hand file (HF) and SAF groups presented the lowest percentage of removed contrast medium, whereas the WaveOne group showed the highest percentage (P < 0.001). The ProTaper group removed more contrast medium than the SAF and HF groups (P < 0.05). None of the instruments was able to remove the contrast medium completely. WaveOne performed significantly better than other groups.

Efficiency of the Self Adjusting File, WaveOne, Reciproc, ProTaper and hand files in root canal debridement

PubMed Central

Topcu, K. Meltem; Karatas, Ertugrul; Ozsu, Damla; Ersoy, Ibrahim

2014-01-01

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the canal debridement capabilities of three single file systems, ProTaper, and K-files in oval-shaped canals. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five extracted human mandibular central incisors with oval-shaped root canals were selected. A radiopaque contrast medium (Metapex; Meta Biomed Co. Ltd., Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea) was introduced into the canal systems and the self-adjusting file (SAF), WaveOne, Reciproc, ProTaper, and K-files were used for the instrumentation of the canals. The percentage of removed contrast medium was calculated using pre- and post-operative radiographs. Results: An overall comparison between the groups revealed that the hand file (HF) and SAF groups presented the lowest percentage of removed contrast medium, whereas the WaveOne group showed the highest percentage (P < 0.001). The ProTaper group removed more contrast medium than the SAF and HF groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: None of the instruments was able to remove the contrast medium completely. WaveOne performed significantly better than other groups. PMID:25202211

An efficient in vitro regeneration protocol for a natural dye yielding plant, Strobilanthes flaccidifolious Nees., from nodal explants.

PubMed

Deb, Chitta Ranjan; Arenmongla, T

2012-11-01

Adventitious shoot buds formation from axillary buds of nodal segments of S. flaccidifolious was achieved on MS medium containing sucrose (3%, w/v), and a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA; 3 microM) and benzyl adenine (3 microM) in combination. The nodal segments were primed on 'Growtak Sieve' for 48 h on MS medium containing sucrose (2%), polyvinyl pyrollidone (200 mgL(-1)) as antioxidant. About 80% of primed nodal segments responded positively and formed approximately 12 adventitious shoot buds per explants from explants collected during October-November months of every year. The shoot buds converted into plantlets on MS medium containing sucrose (3%) and kinetin (3 microM) where approximately 7 micro shoots developed per subculture after 8 weeks of culture. The regenerated micro shoots induced average 14 roots/plant on medium containing NAA (3 microM). The regenerates were hardened for 6-7 weeks on medium with 1/2MS salt solution and sucrose (2%) under normal laboratory condition before transferring to potting mix. About 70% transplants survived after two months of transfer.

Highly efficient passive mode locking of Nd:Lu2.9Gd0.1Al5O12 garnet crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di, J. Q.; Xu, X. D.; Xia, C. T.; Tan, W. D.; Zhang, J.; Tang, D. Y.; Li, D. Z.; Zhou, D. H.; Wu, F.; Xu, J.

2013-05-01

Passive mode locking of Nd:Lu2.9Gd0.1Al5O12 (Nd:LuGdAG) crystal lasers was experimentally investigated. Stable mode-locked pulses with pulse widths as short as 9.7 ps were obtained for the Nd:LuGdAG crystal; the corresponding maximum output powers were 0.93 W while the mode-locked slope efficiencies were 43%, among the highest efficiencies ever reported for Nd3+ ps lasers. The results demonstrate that Nd:LuGdAG garnet crystal is a promising gain medium for efficient picosecond laser use.

Effect of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Graduation, College Acceptance and Dropout Rates for Students Attending an Urban Public High School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colbert, Robert D.

2013-01-01

High school graduation rates nationally have declined in recent years, despite public and private efforts. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether practice of the Quiet Time/Transcendental Meditation® program at a medium-size urban school results in higher school graduation rates compared to students who do not receive training…

42 CFR 414.420 - Physician or treating practitioner authorization and consideration of clinical efficiency and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Physician or treating practitioner authorization and consideration of clinical efficiency and value of items. 414.420 Section 414.420 Public Health... practitioner authorization and consideration of clinical efficiency and value of items. (a) Prescription for a...

42 CFR 414.420 - Physician or treating practitioner authorization and consideration of clinical efficiency and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Physician or treating practitioner authorization and consideration of clinical efficiency and value of items. 414.420 Section 414.420 Public Health... practitioner authorization and consideration of clinical efficiency and value of items. (a) Prescription for a...

The Efficiency of Public Schools: The Case of Kuwait

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burney, Nadeem A.; Johnes, Jill; Al-Enezi, Mohammed; Al-Musallam, Marwa

2013-01-01

This paper investigates the technical, and allocative efficiencies of public schools in Kuwait over four levels of schooling (kindergartens, primary, intermediate and secondary) and two periods (1999/2000 and 2004/2005) using data envelopment analysis. Mean pure technical efficiency varies between 0.695 and 0.852 across all levels of education;…

On the role of environmental corruption in healthcare infrastructures: An empirical assessment for Italy using DEA with truncated regression approach.

PubMed

Cavalieri, Marina; Guccio, Calogero; Rizzo, Ilde

2017-05-01

This paper investigates empirically whether the institutional features of the contracting authority as well as the level of 'environmental' corruption in the area where the work is localised affect the efficient execution of public contracts for healthcare infrastructures. A two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is carried out based on a sample of Italian public contracts for healthcare infrastructures during the period 2000-2005. First, a smoothed bootstrapped DEA estimator is used to assess the relative efficiency in the implementation of each single infrastructure contract. Second, the determinants of the efficiency scores variability are considered, paying special attention to the effect exerted by 'environmental' corruption on different types of contracting authorities. Our results show that the performance of the contracts for healthcare infrastructures is significantly affected by 'environmental' corruption. Furthermore, healthcare contracting authorities are, on average, less efficient and the negative effect of corruption on efficiency is greater for this type of public procurers. The policy recommendation coming out of the study is to rely on 'qualified' contracting authorities since not all the public bodies have the necessary expertise to carry on public contracts for healthcare infrastructures efficiently. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Evaluating Educational Efficiency in Texas Schools Utilizing Data Envelopment Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thompson, Jeremy

2017-01-01

Policymakers and professional educators attempt to be good stewards of public funds while simultaneously raising expectations for student outcomes that reflect academic excellence in the public school system. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficiency of Texas public school districts and the factors influencing the inefficiency of…

Efficiency-Based Funding for Public Four-Year Colleges and Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sexton, Thomas R.; Comunale, Christie L.; Gara, Stephen C.

2012-01-01

We propose an efficiency-based mechanism for state funding of public colleges and universities using data envelopment analysis. We describe the philosophy and the mathematics that underlie the approach and apply\\break the proposed model to data from 362 U.S. public four-year colleges and universities. The model provides incentives to institution…

PULSED UV: REALITIES OF ENHANCED DISINFECTION

EPA Science Inventory

Quantitative measurements of the light output from low pressure (LP), medium pressure (MP) and the pulsed UV lamps were made using calibrated spectrometry, chemical actinometry and biodosimetry approaches to compare their relative efficiency in producing germicidal UV energy. Fur...

Medium pressure UV combined with chlorine advanced oxidation for trichloroethylene destruction in a model water.

PubMed

Wang, Ding; Bolton, James R; Hofmann, Ron

2012-10-01

The effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) combined with chlorine as a novel advanced oxidation process (AOP) for drinking water treatment was evaluated in a bench scale study by comparing the rate of trichloroethylene (TCE) decay when using UV/chlorine to the rates of decay by UV alone and UV/hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at various pH values. A medium pressure mercury UV lamp was used. The UV/chlorine process was more efficient than the UV/H₂O₂ process at pH 5, but in the neutral and alkaline pH range, the UV/H₂O₂ process became more efficient. The pH effect was probably controlled by the increasing concentration of OCl⁻ at higher pH values. A mechanistic kinetic model of the UV/chlorine treatment of TCE showed good agreement with the experimental data. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sintered composite medium and filter

DOEpatents

Bergman, Werner

1987-01-01

A particulate filter medium is formed of a sintered composite of 0.5 micron diameter quartz fibers and 2 micron diameter stainless steel fibers. A preferred composition is about 40 vol. % quartz and about 60 vol. % stainless steel fibers. The media is sintered at about 1100.degree. C. to bond the stainless steel fibers into a cage network which holds the quartz fibers. High filter efficiency and low flow resistance are provided by the smaller quartz fibers. High strength is provided by the stainless steel fibers. The resulting media has a high efficiency and low pressure drop similar to the standard HEPA media, with tensile strength at least four times greater, and a maximum operating temperature of about 550.degree. C. The invention also includes methods to form the composite media and a HEPA filter utilizing the composite media. The filter media can be used to filter particles in both liquids and gases.

Conjugal transfer using the bacteriophage phiC31 att/int system and properties of the attB site in Streptomyces ambofaciens.

PubMed

Kim, Mi-Kyung; Ha, Heon-Su; Choi, Sun-Uk

2008-04-01

To facilitate molecular genetic studies of Streptomyces ambofaciens that produces spiramycin, a commercially important macrolide antibiotic used in human medicine against Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria, the conditions for the conjugal transfer of DNA from E. coli to S. ambofaciens were established using a bacteriophage phiC31 att/int system. The transconjugation efficiency of S. ambofaciens varied with the medium used; the highest frequency was obtained on AS-1 medium containing 10 mM MgCl(2) without heat treatment of the spores. In addition, by cloning and sequencing the attB site, we identified that S. ambofaciens contains a single attB site within an ORF coding for a pirin homolog, and its attB site sequence shows 100% nt identity to the sequence of S. coelicolor and S. lividans, which have the highest efficiency in transconjugation using the phiC31 att/int system.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of protocorm-like bodies in Cymbidium.

PubMed

Chin, Dong Poh; Mishiba, Kei-ichiro; Mii, Masahiro

2007-06-01

Genetically transformed plants of Cymbidium were regenerated after cocultivating protocorm-like bodies (PLB) with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA101 (pIG121Hm) that harbored genes for beta-glucuronidase (gus), hygromycin phosphotransferase (hpt) and neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII). PLB of three genotypes maintained in liquid new Dogashima medium (NDM), were subjected to transformation experiments. The PLB inoculated with Agrobacterium produced secondary PLB, 4 weeks after transfer onto 2.5 g L(-1) gellan gum-solidified NDM containing 10 g L(-1) sucrose, 20 mg L(-1) hygromycin and 40 mg L(-1) meropenem. Transformation efficiency was affected by genotype and the presence of acetosyringone during cocultivation. The highest transformation efficiency was obtained when PLB from the genotype L4 were infected and cocultivated with Agrobacterium on medium containing 100 muM acetosyringone. Transformation of the hygromycin-resistant plantlets regenerated from different sites of inoculated PLB was confirmed by histochemical GUS assay, PCR analysis and Southern blot hybridization.

Eigenmodes of Multilayer Slit Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kovalenko, A. N.

2017-12-01

We generalize the high-efficiency numerical-analytical method of calculating the eigenmodes of a microstrip line, which was proposed in [1], to multilayer slit structures. The obtained relationships make it possible to allow for the multilayer nature of the medium on the basis of solving the electrodynamic problem for a two-layer structure. The algebraic models of a single line and coupled slit lines in a multilayer dielectric medium are constructed. The matrix elements of the system of linear algebraic equations, which is used to determine the expansion coefficients of the electric field inside the slits in a Chebyshev basis, are converted to rapidly convergent series. The constructed models allow one to use computer simulation to obtain numerical results with high speed and accuracy, regardless of the number of dielectric layers. The presented results of a numerical study of the method convergence confirm high efficiency of the method.

Lanthanum ion substituted cobalt ferrite nanoparticles and their hyperthermia efficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demirci, Ç. E.; Manna, P. K.; Wroczynskyj, Y.; Aktürk, S.; van Lierop, J.

2018-07-01

We investigated the structural, compositional, and magnetic properties as well as the AC magnetic hyperthermic response of CoFe2-xLaxO4 (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.5) nanoparticles. We found that the La3+ ions substituted into the Fe3+ ion sites, and resulted in an increased magnetocrystalline anisotropy with x, and altered the time-dependent magnetism. To provide a better understanding of the AC magnetic hyperthermia response, a series of temperature versus time measurements were done by varying the magnetic field amplitude, the carrier medium viscosity and the concentration of the nanoparticles as parameters that governed the heating efficiency. A decrease of specific loss power was observed with an increase of the viscosity of the carrier medium for x = 0 and x = 0.25 substituted Co-ferrite nanoparticles, while a small increase was observed with the x = 0.1 La3+ substituted Co-ferrite nanoparticles (due to their higher intrinsic magnetocrystalline anisotropy).

Nitrogen balancing and xylose addition enhances growth capacity and protein content in Chlorella minutissima cultures.

PubMed

Freitas, B C B; Esquível, M G; Matos, R G; Arraiano, C M; Morais, M G; Costa, J A V

2016-10-01

This study aimed to examine the metabolic changes in Chlorella minutissima cells grown under nitrogen-deficient conditions and with the addition of xylose. The cell density, maximum photochemical efficiency, and chlorophyll and lipid levels were measured. The expression of two photosynthetic proteins, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and the beta subunit (AtpB) of adenosine triphosphate synthase, were measured. Comparison of cells grown in medium with a 50% reduction in the nitrogen concentration versus the traditional medium solution revealed that the cells grown under nitrogen-deficient conditions exhibited an increased growth rate, higher maximum cell density (12.7×10(6)cellsmL(-1)), optimal PSII efficiency (0.69) and decreased lipid level (25.08%). This study has taken the first steps toward protein detection in Chlorella minutissima, and the results can be used to optimize the culturing of other microalgae. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Time Tree Medium Access Control for Energy Efficiency and Collision Avoidance in Wireless Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Lee, Kilhung

2010-01-01

This paper presents a medium access control and scheduling scheme for wireless sensor networks. It uses time trees for sending data from the sensor node to the base station. For an energy efficient operation of the sensor networks in a distributed manner, time trees are built in order to reduce the collision probability and to minimize the total energy required to send data to the base station. A time tree is a data gathering tree where the base station is the root and each sensor node is either a relaying or a leaf node of the tree. Each tree operates in a different time schedule with possibly different activation rates. Through the simulation, the proposed scheme that uses time trees shows better characteristics toward burst traffic than the previous energy and data arrival rate scheme. PMID:22319270

Bootstrapping data envelopment analysis of efficiency and productivity of county public hospitals in Eastern, Central, and Western China after the public hospital reform.

PubMed

Wang, Man-Li; Fang, Hai-Qing; Tao, Hong-Bing; Cheng, Zhao-Hui; Lin, Xiao-Jun; Cai, Miao; Xu, Chang; Jiang, Shuai

2017-10-01

China implemented the public hospital reform in 2012. This study utilized bootstrapping data envelopment analysis (DEA) to evaluate the technical efficiency (TE) and productivity of county public hospitals in Eastern, Central, and Western China after the 2012 public hospital reform. Data from 127 county public hospitals (39, 45, and 43 in Eastern, Central, and Western China, respectively) were collected during 2012-2015. Changes of TE and productivity over time were estimated by bootstrapping DEA and bootstrapping Malmquist. The disparities in TE and productivity among public hospitals in the three regions of China were compared by Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney U test. The average bias-corrected TE values for the four-year period were 0.6442, 0.5785, 0.6099, and 0.6094 in Eastern, Central, and Western China, and the entire country respectively, with average non-technical efficiency, low pure technical efficiency (PTE), and high scale efficiency found. Productivity increased by 8.12%, 0.25%, 12.11%, and 11.58% in China and its three regions during 2012-2015, and such increase in productivity resulted from progressive technological changes by 16.42%, 6.32%, 21.08%, and 21.42%, respectively. The TE and PTE of the county hospitals significantly differed among the three regions of China. Eastern and Western China showed significantly higher TE and PTE than Central China. More than 60% of county public hospitals in China and its three areas operated at decreasing return scales. There was a considerable space for TE improvement in county hospitals in China and its three regions. During 2012-2015, the hospitals experienced progressive productivity; however, the PTE changed adversely. Moreover, Central China continuously achieved a significantly lower efficiency score than Eastern and Western China. Decision makers and administrators in China should identify the causes of the observed inefficiencies and take appropriate measures to increase the efficiency of county public hospitals in the three areas of China, especially in Central China.

Tsunami.gov: NOAA's Tsunami Information Portal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shiro, B.; Carrick, J.; Hellman, S. B.; Bernard, M.; Dildine, W. P.

2014-12-01

We present the new Tsunami.gov website, which delivers a single authoritative source of tsunami information for the public and emergency management communities. The site efficiently merges information from NOAA's Tsunami Warning Centers (TWC's) by way of a comprehensive XML feed called Tsunami Event XML (TEX). The resulting unified view allows users to quickly see the latest tsunami alert status in geographic context without having to understand complex TWC areas of responsibility. The new site provides for the creation of a wide range of products beyond the traditional ASCII-based tsunami messages. The publication of modern formats such as Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) can drive geographically aware emergency alert systems like FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). Supported are other popular information delivery systems, including email, text messaging, and social media updates. The Tsunami.gov portal allows NOAA staff to easily edit content and provides the facility for users to customize their viewing experience. In addition to access by the public, emergency managers and government officials may be offered the capability to log into the portal for special access rights to decision-making and administrative resources relevant to their respective tsunami warning systems. The site follows modern HTML5 responsive design practices for optimized use on mobile as well as non-mobile platforms. It meets all federal security and accessibility standards. Moving forward, we hope to expand Tsunami.gov to encompass tsunami-related content currently offered on separate websites, including the NOAA Tsunami Website, National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, NOAA Center for Tsunami Research, National Geophysical Data Center's Tsunami Database, and National Data Buoy Center's DART Program. This project is part of the larger Tsunami Information Technology Modernization Project, which is consolidating the software architectures of NOAA's existing TWC's into a single system. We welcome your feedback to help Tsunami.gov become an effective public resource for tsunami information and a medium to enable better global tsunami warning coordination.

Measuring and Benchmarking Technical Efficiency of Public Hospitals in Tianjin, China: A Bootstrap-Data Envelopment Analysis Approach.

PubMed

Li, Hao; Dong, Siping

2015-01-01

China has long been stuck in applying traditional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models to measure technical efficiency of public hospitals without bias correction of efficiency scores. In this article, we have introduced the Bootstrap-DEA approach from the international literature to analyze the technical efficiency of public hospitals in Tianjin (China) and tried to improve the application of this method for benchmarking and inter-organizational learning. It is found that the bias corrected efficiency scores of Bootstrap-DEA differ significantly from those of the traditional Banker, Charnes, and Cooper (BCC) model, which means that Chinese researchers need to update their DEA models for more scientific calculation of hospital efficiency scores. Our research has helped shorten the gap between China and the international world in relative efficiency measurement and improvement of hospitals. It is suggested that Bootstrap-DEA be widely applied into afterward research to measure relative efficiency and productivity of Chinese hospitals so as to better serve for efficiency improvement and related decision making. © The Author(s) 2015.

Underwater acoustic wireless sensor networks: advances and future trends in physical, MAC and routing layers.

PubMed

Climent, Salvador; Sanchez, Antonio; Capella, Juan Vicente; Meratnia, Nirvana; Serrano, Juan Jose

2014-01-06

This survey aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current research on underwater wireless sensor networks, focusing on the lower layers of the communication stack, and envisions future trends and challenges. It analyzes the current state-of-the-art on the physical, medium access control and routing layers. It summarizes their security threads and surveys the currently proposed studies. Current envisioned niches for further advances in underwater networks research range from efficient, low-power algorithms and modulations to intelligent, energy-aware routing and medium access control protocols.

Low and medium heating value coal gas catalytic combustor characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwab, J. A.

1982-01-01

Catalytic combustion with both low and medium heating value coal gases obtained from an operating gasifier was demonstrated. A practical operating range for efficient operation was determined, and also to identify potential problem areas were identified for consideration during stationary gas turbine engine design. The test rig consists of fuel injectors, a fuel-air premixing section, a catalytic reactor with thermocouple instrumentation and a single point, water cooled sample probe. The test rig included inlet and outlet transition pieces and was designed for installation into an existing test loop.

Public health services and systems research: current state of finance research.

PubMed

Ingram, Richard C; Bernet, Patrick M; Costich, Julia F

2012-11-01

There is a growing recognition that the US public health system should strive for efficiency-that it should determine the optimal ways to utilize limited resources to improve and protect public health. The field of public health finance research is a critical part of efforts to understand the most efficient ways to use resources. This article discusses the current state of public health finance research through a review of public health finance literature, chronicles important lessons learned from public health finance research to date, discusses the challenges faced by those seeking to conduct financial research on the public health system, and discusses the role of public health finance research in relation to the broader endeavor of Public Health Services and Systems Research.

Plant regeneration from hypocotyl- and anther-derived callus of berseem clover. [Trifolium alexandrium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mokhtarzedeh, A.; Constantin, M.J.

1978-01-01

Plants were regenerated from hypocotyl and anther explants of berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing various combinations of plant growth regulators. The most efficient production of plants from hypocotyl explants involved: callus induction on MS medium with 1.0 mg/liter of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 1.5 mg/liter 6-furfurylaminopurine (KIN); callus increase on MS medium with 2.0 mg/liter of NAA and 0.1 mg/liter of N/sup 6/-(..delta../sup 2/-isopentenyl) adenine (2iP); induction of shoots on MS medium with 0.5 mg/liter each of NAA and KIN followed by induction of roots on MS medium with 1.0 mg/liter of indoleaceticmore » acid (IAA) and 0.1 mg/liter of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Suspension cultures in liquid MS medium containing 2.0 mg/liter of NAA and 0.2 mg/liter of 2iP provided filterable cell preparations with 45% viable cells, 4% of which gave rise to colonies within 3 weeks after transfer to agar plates. Shoot development was observed when callus from the colonies was cultured on MS medium with 0.5 mg/liter of NAA and KIN. Preliminary results indicate that cells of root tips from hypocotyl- and anther-derived callus have the expected diploid and haploid number of chromosomes (2n = 16 and n = 8, respectively).« less

An improved embryo-rescue protocol for hybrid progeny from seedless Vitis vinifera grapes × wild Chinese Vitis species.

PubMed

Li, Gui Rong; Ji, Wei; Wang, Gang; Zhang, Jian Xia; Wang, Yue Jin

A highly efficient technique of embryo rescue is critical when using stenospermocarpic Vitis vinifera cultivars (female parents) to breed novel, disease-resistant, seedless grape cultivars by hybridizing with wild Chinese Vitis species (male parents) having many disease-resistance alleles. The effects of various factors on the improvement of embryo formation, germination, and plantlet development for seven hybrid combinations were studied. The results indicated that Beichun and Shuangyou were the best male parents. The best sampling time for ovule inoculation differed among the female parents. When hybrid ovules were cultured on a double-phase medium with five different solid medium types, percent embryo formation was highest (11.3-28.3%) on a modified MM3 medium. Percentages of embryo germination (15.4-55.4%) and plantlet development (11.15-44.6%) were all highest when embryos were cultured on Woody Plant Medium + 5.7 μM indole-3-acetic acid + 4.4 μM 6-benzylaminopurine + 1.4 μM gibberellic acid + 2% sucrose + 0.05% casein hydrolysate + 0.3% activated charcoal + 0.7% agar. In the absence of other amino acids, the addition of proline significantly increased embryo formation (36.1%), embryo germination (64.6%), and plantlet development (90.5%). A highly efficient protocol has been developed for hybrid embryo rescue from seedless V. vinifera grapes × wild Chinese Vitis species that results in a significant improvement in breeding efficiency for new disease-resistant seedless grapes.

77 FR 22599 - Department of Housing and Urban Development Summary of Public Comments, Response to Public...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-16

... build or rehabilitate to a recognized green building rating standard (see section I.B.2. of HUD's Fiscal... progress and requests funding to support energy efficiency and green building initiatives which will allow.... Response: HUD values energy efficiency and is committed to efficient, green, and healthy homes. Subgoal 4B...

Does Scale of Public Hospitals Affect Bargaining Power? Evidence From Japan

PubMed Central

Noto, Konosuke; Kojo, Takao; Innami, Ichiro

2017-01-01

Background: Many of public hospitals in Japan have had a deficit for a long time. Japanese local governments have been encouraging public hospitals to use group purchasing of drugs to benefit from the economies of scale, and increase their bargaining power for obtaining discounts in drug purchasing, thus improving their financial situation. In this study, we empirically investigate whether or not the scale of public hospitals actually affects their bargaining power. Methods: Using micro-level panel data on public hospitals, we examine the effect of the scale of public hospitals (in terms of the number of occupancy beds) on drug purchasing efficiency (DPE) (the average discount rate in purchasing drugs) as a proxy variable of the bargaining power. Additionally, we evaluate the effect of the presence or absence of management responsibility in public hospital for economic efficiency as the proxy variable of an economic incentive and its interaction with the hospital scales on the bargaining power. In the estimations, we use the fixed effects model to control the heterogeneity of each hospital in order to estimate reliable parameters. Results: The scale of public hospitals does not positively correlate with bargaining power, whereas the management responsibility for economic efficiency does. Additionally, scale does not interact with management responsibility. Conclusion: Giving management responsibility for economic efficiency to public hospitals is a more reliable way of gaining bargaining power in drug purchasing, rather than promoting the increase in scale of these public hospitals. PMID:29172376

Benchmarking undedicated cloud computing providers for analysis of genomic datasets.

PubMed

Yazar, Seyhan; Gooden, George E C; Mackey, David A; Hewitt, Alex W

2014-01-01

A major bottleneck in biological discovery is now emerging at the computational level. Cloud computing offers a dynamic means whereby small and medium-sized laboratories can rapidly adjust their computational capacity. We benchmarked two established cloud computing services, Amazon Web Services Elastic MapReduce (EMR) on Amazon EC2 instances and Google Compute Engine (GCE), using publicly available genomic datasets (E.coli CC102 strain and a Han Chinese male genome) and a standard bioinformatic pipeline on a Hadoop-based platform. Wall-clock time for complete assembly differed by 52.9% (95% CI: 27.5-78.2) for E.coli and 53.5% (95% CI: 34.4-72.6) for human genome, with GCE being more efficient than EMR. The cost of running this experiment on EMR and GCE differed significantly, with the costs on EMR being 257.3% (95% CI: 211.5-303.1) and 173.9% (95% CI: 134.6-213.1) more expensive for E.coli and human assemblies respectively. Thus, GCE was found to outperform EMR both in terms of cost and wall-clock time. Our findings confirm that cloud computing is an efficient and potentially cost-effective alternative for analysis of large genomic datasets. In addition to releasing our cost-effectiveness comparison, we present available ready-to-use scripts for establishing Hadoop instances with Ganglia monitoring on EC2 or GCE.

Benchmarking Undedicated Cloud Computing Providers for Analysis of Genomic Datasets

PubMed Central

Yazar, Seyhan; Gooden, George E. C.; Mackey, David A.; Hewitt, Alex W.

2014-01-01

A major bottleneck in biological discovery is now emerging at the computational level. Cloud computing offers a dynamic means whereby small and medium-sized laboratories can rapidly adjust their computational capacity. We benchmarked two established cloud computing services, Amazon Web Services Elastic MapReduce (EMR) on Amazon EC2 instances and Google Compute Engine (GCE), using publicly available genomic datasets (E.coli CC102 strain and a Han Chinese male genome) and a standard bioinformatic pipeline on a Hadoop-based platform. Wall-clock time for complete assembly differed by 52.9% (95% CI: 27.5–78.2) for E.coli and 53.5% (95% CI: 34.4–72.6) for human genome, with GCE being more efficient than EMR. The cost of running this experiment on EMR and GCE differed significantly, with the costs on EMR being 257.3% (95% CI: 211.5–303.1) and 173.9% (95% CI: 134.6–213.1) more expensive for E.coli and human assemblies respectively. Thus, GCE was found to outperform EMR both in terms of cost and wall-clock time. Our findings confirm that cloud computing is an efficient and potentially cost-effective alternative for analysis of large genomic datasets. In addition to releasing our cost-effectiveness comparison, we present available ready-to-use scripts for establishing Hadoop instances with Ganglia monitoring on EC2 or GCE. PMID:25247298

Plant-Adapted Escherichia coli Show Increased Lettuce Colonizing Ability, Resistance to Oxidative Stress and Chemotactic Response

PubMed Central

Dublan, Maria de los Angeles; Ortiz-Marquez, Juan Cesar Federico; Lett, Lina; Curatti, Leonardo

2014-01-01

Background Escherichia coli is a widespread gut commensal and often a versatile pathogen of public health concern. E. coli are also frequently found in different environments and/or alternative secondary hosts, such as plant tissues. The lifestyle of E. coli in plants is poorly understood and has potential implications for food safety. Methods/Principal Findings This work shows that a human commensal strain of E. coli K12 readily colonizes lettuce seedlings and produces large microcolony-like cell aggregates in leaves, especially in young leaves, in proximity to the vascular tissue. Our observations strongly suggest that those cell aggregates arise from multiplication of single bacterial cells that reach those spots. We showed that E. coli isolated from colonized leaves progressively colonize lettuce seedlings to higher titers, suggesting a fast adaptation process. E. coli cells isolated from leaves presented a dramatic rise in tolerance to oxidative stress and became more chemotactic responsive towards lettuce leaf extracts. Mutant strains impaired in their chemotactic response were less efficient lettuce colonizers than the chemotactic isogenic strain. However, acclimation to oxidative stress and/or minimal medium alone failed to prime E. coli cells for enhanced lettuce colonization efficiency. Conclusion/Significance These findings help to understand the physiological adaptation during the alternative lifestyle of E. coli in/on plant tissues. PMID:25313845

Measuring the efficiency of Palestinian public hospitals during 2010-2015: an application of a two-stage DEA method.

PubMed

Sultan, Wasim I M; Crispim, José

2018-05-29

While health needs and expenditure in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) are growing, the international donations are declining and the economic situation is worsening. The purpose of this paper is twofold, to evaluate the productive efficiency of public hospitals in West Bank and to study contextual factors contributing to efficiency differences. This study examined technical efficiency among 11 public hospitals in West Bank from 2010 through 2015 targeting a total of 66 observations. Nationally representative data were extracted from the official annual health reports. We applied input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models to estimate efficiency scores. To elaborate further on performance, we used Tobit regression to identify contextual factors whose impact on inefficient performance is statistically significant. Despite the increase in efficiency mean scores by 4% from 2010 to 2015, findings show potential savings of 14.5% of resource consumption without reducing the volume of the provided services. The significant Tobit model showed four predictors explaining the inefficient performance of a hospital (p <  0.01) are: bed occupancy rate (BOR); the outpatient-inpatient ratio (OPIPR); hospital's size (SIZE); and the availability of primary healthcare centers within the hospital's catchment area (PRC). There is a strong effect of OPIPR on efficiency differences between hospitals: A one unit increase in OPIPR will lead a decrease of 19.7% in the predicted inefficiency level holding all other factors constant. To date, no previous studies have examined the efficiency of public hospitals in the OPT. Our work identified their efficiency levels for potential improvements and the determinants of efficient performance. Based on the measurement of efficiency, the generated information may guide hospitals' managers, policymakers, and international donors improving the performance of the main national healthcare provider. The scope of this study is limited to public hospitals in West Bank. For a better understanding of the Palestinian market, further research on private hospitals and hospitals in Gaza Strip will be useful.

Chinese journals: a guide for epidemiologists

PubMed Central

Fung, Isaac CH

2008-01-01

Chinese journals in epidemiology, preventive medicine and public health contain much that is of potential international interest. However, few non-Chinese speakers are acquainted with this literature. This article therefore provides an overview of the contemporary scene in Chinese biomedical journal publication, Chinese bibliographic databases and Chinese journals in epidemiology, preventive medicine and public health. The challenge of switching to English as the medium of publication, the development of publishing bibliometric data from Chinese databases, the prospect of an Open Access publication model in China, the issue of language bias in literature reviews and the quality of Chinese journals are discussed. Epidemiologists are encouraged to search the Chinese bibliographic databases for Chinese journal articles. PMID:18826604

Determination of vehicle occupancy for small and medium sized areas

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-09-16

The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), and its : continuation, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), : revisions to the joint FHWA/FTA urban transportation planning regulations, and : individual s...

Electrochemical synthesis of azanucleoside derivatives using a lithium perchlorate-nitromethane system.

PubMed

Kim, Shokaku; Shoji, Takao; Kitano, Yoshikazu; Chiba, Kazuhiro

2013-07-25

We have developed a highly efficient synthetic method for azanucleosides using a lithium perchlorate-nitromethane reaction medium, allowing direct and exclusive installation of various nucleophiles, including protected nucleobases into prolinol derivatives at the preferred 5-position.

Methylene-bridged bis(benzimidazolium) salt as a highly efficient catalyst for the benzoin reaction in aqueous media.

PubMed

Iwamoto, Ken-ichi; Kimura, Hitomi; Oike, Masaaki; Sato, Masayuki

2008-03-07

Benzoin reactions are catalyzed effectively by a methylene-bridged bis(benzimidazolium) salt to yield alpha-hydroxy ketones, and the reactions proceed in water as the aqueous medium under mild conditions.

A simple and efficient protocol for the mass propagation of Cymbidium mastersii: an ornamental orchid of Northeast India

PubMed Central

Mohanty, Padmaja; Paul, Sumi; Das, Meera C.; Kumaria, Suman; Tandon, Pramod

2012-01-01

Background and aims Cymbidium mastersii is an epiphytic orchid distributed mainly in Northeast India. Owing to its high commercial value in the floricultural industry, natural populations are under threat from over-exploitation. Mass propagation provides an alternative means of satisfying the demand. Unfortunately, conventional propagation is slow and difficult, suggesting in vitro methods for mass multiplication may be more appropriate. The objective of this study was to develop an efficient protocol. Methodology and principal results Four nutrient media were evaluated for seed germination and early protocorm development: Murashige and Skoog (MS), half-strength MS, Knudson ‘C’ (KC), and Vacin and Went (VW). In addition, the effects of plant growth regulators 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KN), α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were studied alone and in combination. The maximum percentage seed germination (93.58 ± 0.56) was obtained in MS basal medium after 8–9 weeks of culture. Secondary protocorms (protocorm-like bodies) were developed from primary protocorms on MS medium fortified with different concentrations and combinations of cytokinins (BAP and KN) and auxins (NAA and IBA). The highest numbers of secondary protocorms (20.55 ± 0.62)/primary protocorms were obtained in MS medium supplemented with 5.0 µM BAP and 2.5 µM NAA. The most effective auxin source promoting root production (7.46 ± 0.09 per shoot) was 10.0 µM IBA. The plants were acclimatized effectively (survival percentage 88 %) in a greenhouse using a rooting medium of crushed sterile brick and charcoal (1 : 1 v/v) and vermicompost (leaf litter + cow dung, 1 : 1 v/v). Conclusions An efficient protocol was established for in vitro propagation of C. mastersii using seed as the starting material. The percentage seed germination varied with the composition of the nutrient media and was highest in full-strength MS basal medium. The number of secondary protocorms that developed from primary protocorms was increased by the addition of 5.0 µM BAP and 2.5 µM NAA. In vitro raised plantlets acclimatized in a greenhouse were closely similar to the mother plants in morphology. PMID:22997547

eBASIS (Bioactive Substances in Food Information Systems) and Bioactive Intakes: Major Updates of the Bioactive Compound Composition and Beneficial Bioeffects Database and the Development of a Probabilistic Model to Assess Intakes in Europe.

PubMed

Plumb, Jenny; Pigat, Sandrine; Bompola, Foteini; Cushen, Maeve; Pinchen, Hannah; Nørby, Eric; Astley, Siân; Lyons, Jacqueline; Kiely, Mairead; Finglas, Paul

2017-03-23

eBASIS (Bioactive Substances in Food Information Systems), a web-based database that contains compositional and biological effects data for bioactive compounds of plant origin, has been updated with new data on fruits and vegetables, wheat and, due to some evidence of potential beneficial effects, extended to include meat bioactives. eBASIS remains one of only a handful of comprehensive and searchable databases, with up-to-date coherent and validated scientific information on the composition of food bioactives and their putative health benefits. The database has a user-friendly, efficient, and flexible interface facilitating use by both the scientific community and food industry. Overall, eBASIS contains data for 267 foods, covering the composition of 794 bioactive compounds, from 1147 quality-evaluated peer-reviewed publications, together with information from 567 publications describing beneficial bioeffect studies carried out in humans. This paper highlights recent updates and expansion of eBASIS and the newly-developed link to a probabilistic intake model, allowing exposure assessment of dietary bioactive compounds to be estimated and modelled in human populations when used in conjunction with national food consumption data. This new tool could assist small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the development of food product health claim dossiers for submission to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Removal of nutrients in denitrification system using coconut coir fibre for the biological treatment of aquaculture wastewater.

PubMed

Manoj, Valsa Remony; Vasudevan, Namasivayam

2012-03-01

Ideal bacterial support medium for fixed film denitrification processes/bioreactors must be inexpensive, durable and possess large surface area with sufficient porosity. The present study has been focussed on removing nitrate nitrogen at two different nitrate nitrogen loading rates (60 (NLR I) and 120 (NLR II) mg l(-1)) from simulated aquaculture wastewater. Coconut coir fibre and a commercially available synthetic reticulated plastic media (Fujino Spirals) were used as packing medium in two independent upflow anaerobic packed bed column reactors. Removal of nitrate nitrogen was studied in correlation with other nutrients (COD, TKN, dissolved orthophosphate). Maximum removal of 97% at NLR-I and 99% at NLR - II of nitrate nitrogen was observed in with either media. Greater consistency in the case of COD removal of upto 81% was observed at NLR II where coconut coir was used as support medium compared to 72% COD removal by Fujino Spirals. The results observed indicate that the organic support medium is just as efficient in nitrate nitrogen removal as conventionally used synthetic support medium. The study is important as it specifically focuses on denitrification of aquaculture wastewater using cheaper organic support medium in anoxic bioreactors for the removal of nitrate nitrogen; which is seldom addressed as a significant problem.

A new model for simulating microbial cyanide production and optimizing the medium parameters for recovering precious metals from waste printed circuit boards.

PubMed

Yuan, Zhihui; Ruan, Jujun; Li, Yaying; Qiu, Rongliang

2018-04-10

Bioleaching is a green recycling technology for recovering precious metals from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs). However, this technology requires increasing cyanide production to obtain desirable recovery efficiency. Luria-Bertani medium (LB medium, containing tryptone 10 g/L, yeast extract 5 g/L, NaCl 10 g/L) was commonly used in bioleaching of precious metal. In this study, results showed that LB medium did not produce highest yield of cyanide. Under optimal culture conditions (25 °C, pH 7.5), the maximum cyanide yield of the optimized medium (containing tryptone 6 g/L and yeast extract 5 g/L) was 1.5 times as high as that of LB medium. In addition, kinetics and relationship of cell growth and cyanide production was studied. Data of cell growth fitted logistics model well. Allometric model was demonstrated effective in describing relationship between cell growth and cyanide production. By inserting logistics equation into allometric equation, we got a novel hybrid equation containing five parameters. Kinetic data for cyanide production were well fitted to the new model. Model parameters reflected both cell growth and cyanide production process. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Continuous cultivation of Arthrospira platensis using exhausted medium treated with granular activated carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morocho-Jácome, Ana Lucía; Mascioli, Guilherme Favaro; Sato, Sunao; Carvalho, João Carlos Monteiro de

2015-03-01

Reusing culture medium of Arthrospira platensis is quite important in large scale production because its inappropriate disposal could exacerbate problems of environmental pollution. This study evaluates the suitability of using different quantities of exhausted Schlösser medium after continuous treatment using granular activated carbon (GAC) with a residence time (T) of 2 h for A. platensis growth in continuous cultivation. A tubular photobioreactor (PBR) and urea as cheap nitrogen source were used, taking as response variables kinetic parameters and biomass composition. The removal of both organic matter and pigment (OMR and PgR, respectively) was measured to evaluate the efficiency of the treatment process. This treatment process yielded high values of OMR (73.7 ± 0.1%) and PgR (52.4 ± 0.4%) using 75% treated medium, thereby A. platensis biomass with high protein content (42.0 ± 0.6%), 1568 ± 15 mg/L cell concentration under steady-state conditions and 941 mg/L d cell productivity. This alternative to simultaneous treatment with GAC for reuse of Schlösser medium in continuous cultivation could ensure no diminution in either cell productivity or protein content in A. platensis cultivation using tubular PBR with 65% reduction in medium culture costs.

Investigation on gas medium parameters for an ArF excimer laser through orthogonal experimental design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Xingliang; Sha, Pengfei; Fan, Yuanyuan; Jiang, R.; Zhao, Jiangshan; Zhou, Yi; Yang, Junhong; Xiong, Guangliang; Wang, Yu

2018-02-01

Due to complex kinetics of formation and loss mechanisms, such as ion-ion recombination reaction, neutral species harpoon reaction, excited state quenching and photon absorption, as well as their interactions, the performance behavior of different laser gas medium parameters for excimer laser varies greatly. Therefore, the effects of gas composition and total gas pressure on excimer laser performance attract continual research studies. In this work, orthogonal experimental design (OED) is used to investigate quantitative and qualitative correlations between output laser energy characteristics and gas medium parameters for an ArF excimer laser with plano-plano optical resonator operation. Optimized output laser energy with good pulse to pulse stability can be obtained effectively by proper selection of the gas medium parameters, which makes the most of the ArF excimer laser device. Simple and efficient method for gas medium optimization is proposed and demonstrated experimentally, which provides a global and systematic solution. By detailed statistical analysis, the significance sequence of relevant parameter factors and the optimized composition for gas medium parameters are obtained. Compared with conventional route of varying single gas parameter factor sequentially, this paper presents a more comprehensive way of considering multivariables simultaneously, which seems promising in striking an appropriate balance among various complicated parameters for power scaling study of an excimer laser.

Cooperative dynamics in the penetration of a group of intruders in a granular medium.

PubMed

Pacheco-Vázquez, F; Ruiz-Suárez, J C

2010-11-23

An object moving in a fluid experiences a drag force that depends on its velocity, shape and the properties of the medium. From this simplest case to the motion of a flock of birds or a school of fish, the drag forces and the hydrodynamic interactions determine the full dynamics of the system. Similar drag forces appear when a single projectile impacts and moves through a granular medium, and this case is well studied in the literature. On the other hand, the case in which a group of intruders impact a granular material has never been considered. Here, we study the simultaneous penetration of several intruders in a very low-density granular medium. We find that the intruders move through it in a collective way, following a cooperative dynamics, whose complexity resembles flocking phenomena in living systems or the movement of reptiles in sand, wherein changes in drag are exploited to efficiently move or propel.

Growth medium sterilization using decomposition of peracetic acid for more cost-efficient production of omega-3 fatty acids by Aurantiochytrium.

PubMed

Cho, Chang-Ho; Shin, Won-Sub; Woo, Do-Wook; Kwon, Jong-Hee

2018-06-01

Aurantiochytrium can produce significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid. Use of a glucose-based medium for heterotrophic growth is needed to achieve a high growth rate and production of abundant lipids. However, heat sterilization for reliable cultivation is not appropriate to heat-sensitive materials and causes a conversion of glucose via browning (Maillard) reactions. Thus, the present study investigated the use of a direct degradation of Peracetic acid (PAA) for omega-3 production by Aurantiochytrium. Polymer-based bioreactor and glucose-containing media were chemically co-sterilized by 0.04% PAA and neutralized through a reaction with ferric ion (III) in HEPES buffer. Mono-cultivation was achieved without the need for washing steps and filtration, thereby avoiding the heat-induced degradation and dehydration of glucose. Use of chemically sterilized and neutralized medium, rather than heat-sterilized medium, led to a twofold faster growth rate and greater productivity of omega-3 fatty acids.

[Solid-state fermentation with Penicillium sp. PT95 for carotenoid production].

PubMed

Han, J; Xu, J

1999-04-01

A preliminary study on solid-state fermentation (SSF) with Penicillium sp PT95 for carotenoid production was performed. The results showed that the production of carotenoid in sclerotia of PT95 was more efficient in corn meal medium than in either wheat bran medium or cottonseed hull medium. Addition of nitrogen and carbon sources as well as vegetable oil to media was required for increasing the dry weight of sclerotia and carotenoid yield. Among several tested compounds for nitrogen and carbon sources, sodium nitrate and maltose were the best. Through orthogonal experiments, the optimum culture medium was obtained by supplement of NaNO3 3g, maltose 10 g, soybean oil 2.5 g to per liter of salt solution. Under the optimum culture conditions, the sclerotia dry weight increased from 5.36 g to 9.70 g per 100 g dry substrate, the carotenoid yield from 2149 micrograms to 5260 micrograms per 100 g dry substrate, the proportion of beta-carotene in carotenoids from 61.4% to 71.3%.

Cooperative dynamics in the penetration of a group of intruders in a granular medium

PubMed Central

Pacheco-Vázquez, F.; Ruiz-Suárez, J.C.

2010-01-01

An object moving in a fluid experiences a drag force that depends on its velocity, shape and the properties of the medium. From this simplest case to the motion of a flock of birds or a school of fish, the drag forces and the hydrodynamic interactions determine the full dynamics of the system. Similar drag forces appear when a single projectile impacts and moves through a granular medium, and this case is well studied in the literature. On the other hand, the case in which a group of intruders impact a granular material has never been considered. Here, we study the simultaneous penetration of several intruders in a very low-density granular medium. We find that the intruders move through it in a collective way, following a cooperative dynamics, whose complexity resembles flocking phenomena in living systems or the movement of reptiles in sand, wherein changes in drag are exploited to efficiently move or propel. PMID:21119636

Comparison of Dry Medium Culture Plates for Mesophilic Aerobic Bacteria in Milk, Ice Cream, Ham, and Codfish Fillet Products

PubMed Central

Park, Junghyun; Kim, Myunghee

2013-01-01

This study was performed to compare the performance of Sanita-Kun dry medium culture plate with those of traditional culture medium and Petrifilm dry medium culture plate for the enumeration of the mesophilic aerobic bacteria in milk, ice cream, ham, and codfish fillet. Mesophilic aerobic bacteria were comparatively evaluated in milk, ice cream, ham, and codfish fillet using Sanita-Kun aerobic count (SAC), Petrifilm aerobic count (PAC), and traditional plate count agar (PCA) media. According to the results, all methods showed high correlations of 0.989~1.000 and no significant differences were observed for enumerating the mesophilic aerobic bacteria in the tested food products. SAC method was easier to perform and count colonies efficiently as compared to the PCA and PAC methods. Therefore, we concluded that the SAC method offers an acceptable alternative to the PCA and PAC methods for counting the mesophilic aerobic bacteria in milk, ice cream, ham, and codfish fillet products. PMID:24551829

Fast single image dehazing based on image fusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Haibo; Yang, Jie; Wu, Zhengping; Zhang, Qingnian

2015-01-01

Images captured in foggy weather conditions often fade the colors and reduce the contrast of the observed objects. An efficient image fusion method is proposed to remove haze from a single input image. First, the initial medium transmission is estimated based on the dark channel prior. Second, the method adopts an assumption that the degradation level affected by haze of each region is the same, which is similar to the Retinex theory, and uses a simple Gaussian filter to get the coarse medium transmission. Then, pixel-level fusion is achieved between the initial medium transmission and coarse medium transmission. The proposed method can recover a high-quality haze-free image based on the physical model, and the complexity of the proposed method is only a linear function of the number of input image pixels. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can allow a very fast implementation and achieve better restoration for visibility and color fidelity compared to some state-of-the-art methods.

The laboratory efficiencies initiative: partnership for building a sustainable national public health laboratory system.

PubMed

Ridderhof, John C; Moulton, Anthony D; Ned, Renée M; Nicholson, Janet K A; Chu, May C; Becker, Scott J; Blank, Eric C; Breckenridge, Karen J; Waddell, Victor; Brokopp, Charles

2013-01-01

Beginning in early 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Association of Public Health Laboratories launched the Laboratory Efficiencies Initiative (LEI) to help public health laboratories (PHLs) and the nation's entire PHL system achieve and maintain sustainability to continue to conduct vital services in the face of unprecedented financial and other pressures. The LEI focuses on stimulating substantial gains in laboratories' operating efficiency and cost efficiency through the adoption of proven and promising management practices. In its first year, the LEI generated a strategic plan and a number of resources that PHL directors can use toward achieving LEI goals. Additionally, the first year saw the formation of a dynamic community of practitioners committed to implementing the LEI strategic plan in coordination with state and local public health executives, program officials, foundations, and other key partners.

The Laboratory Efficiencies Initiative: Partnership for Building a Sustainable National Public Health Laboratory System

PubMed Central

Moulton, Anthony D.; Ned, Renée M.; Nicholson, Janet K.A.; Chu, May C.; Becker, Scott J.; Blank, Eric C.; Breckenridge, Karen J.; Waddell, Victor; Brokopp, Charles

2013-01-01

Beginning in early 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Association of Public Health Laboratories launched the Laboratory Efficiencies Initiative (LEI) to help public health laboratories (PHLs) and the nation's entire PHL system achieve and maintain sustainability to continue to conduct vital services in the face of unprecedented financial and other pressures. The LEI focuses on stimulating substantial gains in laboratories' operating efficiency and cost efficiency through the adoption of proven and promising management practices. In its first year, the LEI generated a strategic plan and a number of resources that PHL directors can use toward achieving LEI goals. Additionally, the first year saw the formation of a dynamic community of practitioners committed to implementing the LEI strategic plan in coordination with state and local public health executives, program officials, foundations, and other key partners. PMID:23997300

76 FR 55056 - Toy Safety Standard: Strategic Outreach and Education Plan

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-06

... to test and certify to the toy safety standard. We plan to use traditional and social media to... particularly in medium- and small-size publications that target individual toy makers and crafters, such as...

Truck side guard specifications : recommended standard

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-09-01

This document is intended to be used by (1) public or private medium/heavy-duty truck fleets considering adding side guards; (2) jurisdictions or customers that require side guards through policy or procurement; (3) manufacturers of side guards; and ...

Overexpression of ADH1 and HXT1 genes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae improves the fermentative efficiency during tequila elaboration.

PubMed

Gutiérrez-Lomelí, Melesio; Torres-Guzmán, Juan Carlos; González-Hernández, Gloria Angélica; Cira-Chávez, Luis Alberto; Pelayo-Ortiz, Carlos; Ramírez-Córdova, Jose de Jesús

2008-05-01

This work assessed the effect of the overexpression of ADH1 and HXT1 genes in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae AR5 strain during fermentation of Agave tequilana Weber blue variety must. Both genes were cloned individually and simultaneously into a yeast centromere plasmid. Two transformant strains overexpressing ADH1 and HXT1 individually and one strain overexpressing both genes were randomly selected and named A1, A3 and A5 respectively. Overexpression effect on growth and ethanol production of the A1, A3 and A5 strains was evaluated in fermentative conditions in A. tequilana Weber blue variety must and YPD medium. During growth in YPD and Agave media, all the recombinant strains showed lower cell mass formation than the wild type AR5 strain. Adh enzymatic activity in the recombinant strains A1 and A5 cultivated in A. tequilana and YPD medium was higher than in the wild type. The overexpression of both genes individually and simultaneously had no significant effect on ethanol formation; however, the fermentative efficiency of the A5 strain increased from 80.33% to 84.57% and 89.40% to 94.29% in YPD and Agave medium respectively.

Characterization of cultivated murine lacrimal gland epithelial cells

PubMed Central

Kobayashi, Shinya; Kawashima, Motoko; Okada, Naoko; Mishima, Kenji; Saito, Ichiro; Ito, Masataka; Shimmura, Shigeto; Tsubota, Kazuo

2012-01-01

Purpose To date, mouse lacrimal gland epithelial cells have been cultured successfully but only in cases involving newborn mouse lacrimal glands. In this work, we attempted to cultivate and characterize adult mouse lacrimal gland epithelial cells. Methods Lacrimal glands were removed from newborn mice (C57B/6) and isolated lacrimal gland epithelial cells were seeded onto tissue culture treated or low adherent culture dishes in Cnt-07 culture medium with or without cholera toxin. Cultivated cells were characterized by immunostaining with pan-cytokeratin, α-smooth muscle actin, and lactoferrin antibodies. Lacrimal gland cells from 7-week-old green fluorescent protein (GFP) and non-GFP (C57B/6) mice were mixed and seeded onto uncoated dishes to assess sphere-forming efficiency. Cells were also seeded onto 3T3 cell feeder layers to assess colony forming efficiency. Results Lacrimal gland epithelial cells were selectively cultured with cholera toxin, and cell type was verified by pan-cytokeratin and α-smooth muscle actin immunostaining. Sphere formation from single cells of adult mice was observed using specific medium and low adherent culture dishes. These cells could also undergo colony formation on 3T3 feeder cells. Conclusions Adult mouse lacrimal gland epithelial cells were successfully cultivated in cholera toxin-containing medium, and were observed to form spheres from single cells. PMID:22665974

Introducing CUBES: the Cassegrain U-band Brazil-ESO spectrograph

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bristow, Paul; Barbuy, Beatriz; Macanhan, Vanessa B.; Castilho, Bruno; Dekker, Hans; Delabre, Bernard; Diaz, Marcos; Gneiding, Clemens; Kerber, Florian; Kuntschner, Harald; La Mura, Giovanni; Reiss, Roland; Vernet, J.

2014-07-01

CUBES is a high-efficiency, medium-resolution (R ≃ 20, 000) spectrograph dedicated to the "ground based UV" (approximately the wavelength range from 300 to 400nm) destined for the Cassegrain focus of one of ESO's VLT unit telescopes in 2018/19. The CUBES project is a joint venture between ESO and Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG) at the Universidade de São Paulo and the Brazilian Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísica (LNA). CUBES will provide access to a wealth of new and relevant information for stellar as well as extra-galactic sources. Principle science cases include the study of heavy elements in metal-poor stars, the direct determination of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen abundances by study of molecular bands in the UV range and the determination of the Beryllium abundance as well as the study of active galactic nuclei and the inter-galactic medium. With a streamlined modern instrument design, high efficiency dispersing elements and UV-sensitive detectors, it will enable a significant gain in sensitivity over existing ground based medium-high resolution spectrographs enabling vastly increased sample sizes accessible to the astronomical community. We present here a brief overview of the project, introducing the science cases that drive the design and discussing the design options and technological challenges.

Synergistic effects of plasma-activated medium and chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chao-Yu; Cheng, Yun-Chien; Cheng, Yi-Jing

2018-04-01

Chemotherapy is an important treatment method for metastatic cancer, but the drug-uptake efficiency of cancer cells needs to be enhanced in order to diminish the side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs and improve survival. The use of a nonequilibrium low-temperature atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ) has been demonstrated to exert selective effects in cancer therapy and to be able to enhance the uptake of molecules by cells, which makes an APPJ a good candidate adjuvant in combination chemotherapy. This study estimated the effects of direct helium-based APPJ (He-APPJ) exposure (DE) and He-APPJ-activated RPMI medium (PAM) on cell viability and migration. Both of these treatments decreased cell viability and inhibited cell migration, but to different degrees in different cell types. The use of PAM as a culture medium resulted in the dialkylcarbocyanine (DiI) fluorescent dye entering the cells more efficiently. PAM was combined with the anticancer drug doxorubicin (Doxo) to treat human heptocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and human adenocarcinomic alveolar basal epithelial A549 cells. The results showed that the synergistic effects of combined PAM and Doxo treatment resulted in stronger lethality in cancer cells than did PAM or Doxo treatment alone. To sum up, PAM has potential as an adjuvant in combination with other drugs to improve curative cancer therapies.

Polyurethane foam loaded with sodium dodecylsulfate for the extraction of 'quat' pesticides from aqueous medium: Optimization of loading conditions.

PubMed

Vinhal, Jonas O; Lima, Claudio F; Cassella, Ricardo J

2016-09-01

The cationic herbicides paraquat, diquat and difenzoquat are largely used in different cultures worldwide. With this, there is an intrinsic risk of environmental contamination when these herbicides achieve natural waters. The goal of this work was to propose a novel and low-cost sorbent for the removal of the cited herbicides from aqueous medium. The proposed sorbent was prepared by loading polyurethane foam with sodium dodecylsulfate. The influence of several parameters (SDS concentration, HCl concentration and shaking time) on the loading process was investigated. The results obtained in this work demonstrated that all studied variables influenced the loading process, having significant effect on the extraction efficiency of the resulted PUF-SDS. At optimized conditions, the PUF was loaded by shaking 200mg of crushed foam with 200mL of a solution containing 5.0×10(-3)molL(-1) SDS and 0.25molL(-1) HCl, for 30min. The obtained PUF-SDS was efficient for removing the three herbicides from aqueous medium, achieving extraction percentages higher than 90%. The sorption process followed a pseudo second-order kinetics, which presented excellent predictive capacity of the amount of herbicide retained with time. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficiency, ownership, and financing of hospitals: the case of Austria.

PubMed

Czypionka, Thomas; Kraus, Markus; Mayer, Susanne; Röhrling, Gerald

2014-12-01

While standard economic theory posits that privately owned hospitals are more efficient than their public counterparts, no clear conclusion can yet be drawn for Austria in this regard. As previous Austrian efficiency studies rely on data from the 1990s only and are based on small hospital samples, the generalizability of these results is questionable. To examine the impact of ownership type on efficiency, we apply a Data Envelopment Analysis which extends the existing literature in two respects: first, it evaluates the efficiency of the Austrian acute care sector, using data on 128 public and private non-profit hospitals from the year 2010; second, it additionally focusses on the inpatient sector alone, thus increasing the comparability between hospitals. Overall, the results show that in Austria, private non-profit hospitals outperform public hospitals in terms of technical efficiency. A multiple regression analysis confirms the significant association between efficiency and ownership type. This conclusive result contrasts some international evidence and can most likely be attributed to differences in financial incentives for public and private non-profit hospitals in Austria. Therefore, by drawing on the example of the Austrian acute care hospital sector and existing literature on the German acute care hospital sector, we also discuss the impact of hospital financing systems and their incentives on efficiency. This paper thus also aims at providing a proof of principle, pointing out the importance of the respective market conditions when internationally comparing hospital efficiency by ownership type.

The Efficiency Change of Italian Public Universities in the New Millennium: A Non-Parametric Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guccio, Calogero; Martorana, Marco Ferdinando; Mazza, Isidoro

2017-01-01

The paper assesses the evolution of efficiency of Italian public universities for the period 2000-2010. It aims at investigating whether their levels of efficiency showed signs of convergence, and if the well-known disparity between northern and southern regions decreased. For this purpose, we use a refinement of data envelopment analysis, namely…

Anonymous authenticated communications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Beaver, Cheryl L; Schroeppel, Richard C; Snyder, Lillian A

2007-06-19

A method of performing electronic communications between members of a group wherein the communications are authenticated as being from a member of the group and have not been altered, comprising: generating a plurality of random numbers; distributing in a digital medium the plurality of random numbers to the members of the group; publishing a hash value of contents of the digital medium; distributing to the members of the group public-key-encrypted messages each containing a same token comprising a random number; and encrypting a message with a key generated from the token and the plurality of random numbers.

CD-ROM-aided Databases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masuyama, Keiichi

CD-ROM has rapidly evolved as a new information medium with large capacity, In the U.S. it is predicted that it will become two hundred billion yen market in three years, and thus CD-ROM is strategic target of database industry. Here in Japan the movement toward its commercialization has been active since this year. Shall CD-ROM bussiness ever conquer information market as an on-disk database or electronic publication? Referring to some cases of the applications in the U.S. the author views marketability and the future trend of this new optical disk medium.

Acyl CoA profiles of transgenic plants that accumulate medium-chain fatty acids indicate inefficient storage lipid synthesis in developing oilseeds.

PubMed

Larson, Tony R; Edgell, Teresa; Byrne, James; Dehesh, Katayoon; Graham, Ian A

2002-11-01

Several Brassica napus lines transformed with genes responsible for the synthesis of medium- or long-chain fatty acids were examined to determine limiting factor(s) for the subsequent accumulation of these fatty acids in seed lipids. Examination of a decanoic acid (10:0) accumulating line revealed a disproportionately high concentration of 10:0 CoA during seed development compared to long-chain acyl CoAs isolated from the same tissues, suggesting that poor incorporation of 10:0 CoA into seed lipids limits 10:0 fatty acid accumulation. This relationship was also seen for dodecanoyl (12:0) CoA and fatty acid in a high 12:0 line, but not for octadecanoic (18:0) CoA and fatty acid in a high 18:0 line. Comparison of 10:0 CoA and fatty acid proportions from seeds at different developmental stages for transgenic B. napus and Cuphea hookeriana, the source plant for the medium-chain thioesterase and 3-ketoacyl-ACP synthase transgenes, revealed that C. hookeriana incorporates 10:0 CoA into seed lipids more efficiently than transgenic B. napus. Furthermore, beta-oxidation and glyoxylate cycle activities were not increased above wild type levels during seed development in the 8:0/10:0 line, suggesting that lipid catabolism was not being induced in response to the elevated 10:0 CoA concentrations. Taken together, these data suggest that transgenic plants that are engineered to synthesize medium-chain fatty acids may lack the necessary mechanisms, such as specific acyltransferases, to incorporate these fatty acids efficiently into seed lipids.

Efficiency of specialist rehabilitation in reducing dependency and costs of continuing care for adults with complex acquired brain injuries

PubMed Central

Turner‐Stokes, L; Paul, S; Williams, H

2006-01-01

Objectives To examine functional outcomes from a rehabilitation programme and to compare two methods for evaluating cost efficiency of rehabilitation in patients with severe complex disability. Subjects and setting Two hundred and ninety seven consecutive admissions to a specialist inpatient rehabilitation unit following severe acquired brain injury. Methods Retrospective analysis of routinely collected data, including the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Barthel Index, and Northwick Park Dependency Score and Care Needs Assessment (NPDS/NPCNA), which provides a generic estimation of dependency, care hours. and weekly cost of continuing care in the community. Patients were analysed in three groups according to dependency on admission: “low” (NPDS<10 (n = 83)); “medium” (NPDS10–24 (n = 112)); “high” (NPDS >24 (n = 102)). Results Mean length of stay (LOS) 112 (SD 66) days. All groups showed significant reduction in dependency between admission and discharge on all measures (paired t tests: p<0.001). Mean reduction in “weekly cost of care” was greatest in the high dependency group at £639 per week (95% CI 488 to 789)), as compared with the medium (£323/week (95% CI 217 to 428)), and low (£111/week (95% CI 42 to 179)) dependency groups. Despite their longer LOS, time taken to offset the initial cost of rehabilitation was only 16.3 months in the high dependency group, compared with 21.5 months (medium dependency) and 38.8 months (low dependency). FIM efficiency (FIM gain/LOS) appeared greatest in the medium dependency group (0.25), compared with the low (0.17) and high (0.16) dependency groups. Conclusions The NPDS/NPCNA detected changes in dependency potentially associated with substantial savings in the cost of ongoing care, especially in high dependency patients. Floor effects in responsiveness of the FIM may lead to underestimation of efficiency of rehabilitation in higher dependency patients. PMID:16614023

Determination of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone in drugs using polypyrrole-based headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-nitrogen-phosphorous detection.

PubMed

Mehdinia, Ali; Ghassempour, Alireza; Rafati, Hasan; Heydari, Rouhollah

2007-03-21

A headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-nitrogen-phosphorous detection (HS-SPME-GC-NPD) method using polypyrrole (PPy) fibers has been introduced to determine two derivatives of pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). Two types of PPy fibers, prepared using organic and aqueous media, were compared in terms of extraction efficiency and thermal stability. It was found that PPy film prepared using organic medium (i.e. acetonitrile) had higher extraction efficiency and more thermal stability compared to the film prepared in aqueous medium. To enhance the sensitivity of HS-SPME, the effects of pH, ionic strength, extraction time, extraction temperature and the headspace volume on the extraction efficiency were optimized. Using the results of this research, high sensitivity and selectivity had been achieved due to the combination of the high extraction efficiency of PPy film prepared in organic medium and the high sensitivity and selectivity of nitrogen-phosphorous detection. Linear range of the analytes was found to be between 1.0 and 1000 microg L(-1) with regression coefficients (R(2)) of 0.998 and 0.997 for NVP and NMP, consequently. Limits of detection (LODs) were 0.074 and 0.081 microg L(-1) for NVP and NMP, respectively. Relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for five replications of analyses was found to be less than 6.0%. In real samples the mean recoveries were 94.81% and 94.15% for NVP and NMP, respectively. The results demonstrated the suitability of the HS-SPME technique for analyzing NVP and NMP in two different pharmaceutical matrices. In addition, the method was used for simultaneous detection of NVP, 2-pyrrolidone (2-Pyr), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and ethanolamine (EA) compounds.

Medium pH, carbon and nitrogen concentrations modulate the phosphate solubilization efficiency of Penicillium purpurogenum through organic acid production.

PubMed

Scervino, J M; Papinutti, V L; Godoy, M S; Rodriguez, M A; Della Monica, I; Recchi, M; Pettinari, M J; Godeas, A M

2011-05-01

To study phosphate solubilization in Penicillium purpurogenum as function of medium pH, and carbon and nitrogen concentrations. Tricalcium phosphate (CP) solubilization efficiency of P. purpurogenum was evaluated at acid or alkaline pH using different C and N sources. Glucose- and (NH(4) )(2) SO(4) -based media showed the highest P solubilization values followed by fructose. P. purpurogenum solubilizing ability was higher in cultures grown at pH 6·5 than cultures at pH 8·5. Organic acids were detected in both alkaline and neutral media, but the relative percentages of each organic acid differed. Highest P release coincided with the highest organic acids production peak, especially gluconic acid. When P. purpurogenum grew in alkaline media, the nature and concentration of organic acids changed at different N and C concentrations. A factorial categorical experimental design showed that the highest P-solubilizing activity, coinciding with the highest organic acid production, corresponded to the highest C concentration and lowest N concentration. The results described in the present study show that medium pH and carbon and nitrogen concentrations modulate the P solubilization efficiency of P. purpurogenum through the production of organic acids and particularly that of gluconic acid. In the P solubilization optimization studies, glucose and (NH(4) )(2) SO(4) as C and N sources allowed a higher solubilization efficiency at high pH. This organism is a potentially proficient soil inoculant, especially in P-poor alkaline soils where other P solubilizers fail to release soluble P. Further work is necessary to elucidate whether these results can be extrapolated to natural soil ecosystems, where different pH values are present. Penicillium purpurogenum could be used to develop a bioprocess for the manufacture of phosphatic fertilizer with phosphate calcium minerals. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of Applied Microbiology © 2011 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Review of Evaluation, Measurement and Verification Approaches Used to Estimate the Load Impacts and Effectiveness of Energy Efficiency Programs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Messenger, Mike; Bharvirkar, Ranjit; Golemboski, Bill

Public and private funding for end-use energy efficiency actions is expected to increase significantly in the United States over the next decade. For example, Barbose et al (2009) estimate that spending on ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs in the U.S. could increase frommore » $3.1 billion in 2008 to $$7.5 and 12.4 billion by 2020 under their medium and high scenarios. This increase in spending could yield annual electric energy savings ranging from 0.58% - 0.93% of total U.S. retail sales in 2020, up from 0.34% of retail sales in 2008. Interest in and support for energy efficiency has broadened among national and state policymakers. Prominent examples include {approx}$$18 billion in new funding for energy efficiency programs (e.g., State Energy Program, Weatherization, and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants) in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Increased funding for energy efficiency should result in more benefits as well as more scrutiny of these results. As energy efficiency becomes a more prominent component of the U.S. national energy strategy and policies, assessing the effectiveness and energy saving impacts of energy efficiency programs is likely to become increasingly important for policymakers and private and public funders of efficiency actions. Thus, it is critical that evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM&V) is carried out effectively and efficiently, which implies that: (1) Effective program evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM&V) methodologies and tools are available to key stakeholders (e.g., regulatory agencies, program administrators, consumers, and evaluation consultants); and (2) Capacity (people and infrastructure resources) is available to conduct EM&V activities and report results in ways that support program improvement and provide data that reliably compares achieved results against goals and similar programs in other jurisdictions (benchmarking). The National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (2007) presented commonly used definitions for EM&V in the context of energy efficiency programs: (1) Evaluation (E) - The performance of studies and activities aimed at determining the effects and effectiveness of EE programs; (2) Measurement and Verification (M&V) - Data collection, monitoring, and analysis associated with the calculation of gross energy and demand savings from individual measures, sites or projects. M&V can be a subset of program evaluation; and (3) Evaluation, Measurement, and Verification (EM&V) - This term is frequently seen in evaluation literature. EM&V is a catchall acronym for determining both the effectiveness of program designs and estimates of load impacts at the portfolio, program and project level. This report is a scoping study that assesses current practices and methods in the evaluation, measurement and verification (EM&V) of ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs, with a focus on methods and practices currently used for determining whether projected (ex-ante) energy and demand savings have been achieved (ex-post). M&V practices for privately-funded energy efficiency projects (e.g., ESCO projects) or programs where the primary focus is greenhouse gas reductions were not part of the scope of this study. We identify and discuss key purposes and uses of current evaluations of end-use energy efficiency programs, methods used to evaluate these programs, processes used to determine those methods; and key issues that need to be addressed now and in the future, based on discussions with regulatory agencies, policymakers, program administrators, and evaluation practitioners in 14 states and national experts in the evaluation field. We also explore how EM&V may evolve in a future in which efficiency funding increases significantly, innovative mechanisms for rewarding program performance are adopted, the role of efficiency in greenhouse gas mitigation is more closely linked, and programs are increasingly funded from multiple sources often with multiple program administrators and intended to meet multiple purposes.« less

Efficiency of inhibitor for biocorrosion influenced by consortium sulfate reducing bacteria on carbon steel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mahat, Nur Akma; Othman, Norinsan Kamil; Sahrani, Fathul Karim

2015-09-25

The inhibition efficiency of benzalkonium chloride (BKC) in controlling biocorrosion on the carbon steel surfaces has been investigated. The carbon steel coupons were incubated in the presence of consortium SRB (C-SRB) with and without BKC for the difference medium concentration. The corrosion rate and inhibition efficiency have been evaluated by a weight loss method. The morphology of biofilm C-SRB on the steel surfaces were characterized with variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (VPSEM). The results revealed that BKC exhibits a low corrosion rate, minimizing the cell growth and biofilm development on the carbon steel surfaces.

Cascaded-cladding-pumped cascaded Raman fiber amplifier.

PubMed

Jiang, Huawei; Zhang, Lei; Feng, Yan

2015-06-01

The conversion efficiency of double-clad Raman fiber laser is limited by the cladding-to-core area ratio. To get high conversion efficiency, the inner-cladding-to-core area ratio has to be less than about 8, which limits the brightness enhancement. To overcome the problem, a cascaded-cladding-pumped cascaded Raman fiber laser with multiple-clad fiber as the Raman gain medium is proposed. A theoretical model of Raman fiber amplifier with multiple-clad fiber is developed, and numerical simulation proves that the proposed scheme can improve the conversion efficiency and brightness enhancement of cladding pumped Raman fiber laser.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paajanen, A.; Lehto, J.; Santapakka, T.

The efficiencies of 15 commercially available activated carbons were tested for the separation of trace cobalt ({sup 60}Co) in buffer solutions at pH 5.0, 6.7, and 9.1. On the basis of the results four carbon products, Diahope-006, Eurocarb TN5, Hydraffin DG47, and Norit ROW Supra, were selected for further study. These carbons represented varying (low, medium and high) cobalt removal efficiencies and were prepared of three typical raw materials: peat, coconut shell, or coal. Study was made of the effects on sorption efficiencies of factors of interest in metal/radionuclide-bearing waste effluents. These factors were pH, sodium ions, borate, and citrate.

Efficiency of inhibitor for biocorrosion influenced by consortium sulfate reducing bacteria on carbon steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahat, Nur Akma; Othman, Norinsan Kamil; Sahrani, Fathul Karim

2015-09-01

The inhibition efficiency of benzalkonium chloride (BKC) in controlling biocorrosion on the carbon steel surfaces has been investigated. The carbon steel coupons were incubated in the presence of consortium SRB (C-SRB) with and without BKC for the difference medium concentration. The corrosion rate and inhibition efficiency have been evaluated by a weight loss method. The morphology of biofilm C-SRB on the steel surfaces were characterized with variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (VPSEM). The results revealed that BKC exhibits a low corrosion rate, minimizing the cell growth and biofilm development on the carbon steel surfaces.

A Measurement of Charter School Efficiency in North Carolina Utilizing Modified Quadriform Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sturdevant, Daniel C.

2017-01-01

Charter schools exist under the umbrella of public education, but are not subject to the same level of public oversight or accountability measures as traditional public schools in North Carolina and many other states (BiFulco and Ladd, 2006, Bettinger, 2004). There is a lack of easily accessible efficiency data on charter schools. The primary aim…

Highly efficient end-side-pumped Nd:YAG solar laser by a heliostat-parabolic mirror system.

PubMed

Almeida, J; Liang, D; Vistas, C R; Guillot, E

2015-03-10

We report a large improvement in the collection and slope efficiency of an Nd:YAG solar laser pumped by a heliostat-parabolic mirror system. A conical fused silica lens was used to further concentrate the solar radiation from the focal zone of a 2 m diameter primary concentrator to a Nd:YAG single-crystal rod within a conical pump cavity, which enabled multipass pumping to the active medium. A 56 W cw laser power was measured, corresponding to 21.1  W/m2 record-high solar laser collection efficiency with the heliostat-parabolic mirror system. 4.9% slope efficiency was calculated, corresponding to 175% enhancement over our previous result.

Dynamic properties of stay cables on the Penobscot Narrows bridge.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-09-01

Cable-stayed bridges have been recognized as the most efficient and cost effective structural form for medium to long : span bridges over the past several decades. With their widespread use, cases of serviceability problems associated with : large am...

Proposed Rule for Repeal of Emission Requirements for Glider Vehicles, Glider Engines, and Glider Kits

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Rule to finalize standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles that would improve fuel efficiency and cut carbon pollution to reduce the impacts of climate change, while bolstering energy security and spurring manufacturing innovation.

Cost-efficiency of highway operations and maintenance of public-private partnerships.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-08-01

While the literature on public-private partnerships (PPPs) argues that the private sectors life-cycle : approach to design and construction results in operational cost efficiencies, empirical support is : missing. This study explored that issue by...

Successful micropropagation of the cadmium hyperaccumulator Viola baoshanensis (Violaceae).

PubMed

Li, Jin-Tian; Deng, Dong-Mei; Peng, Guang-Tian; Deng, Jin-Chuan; Zhang, Jun; Liao, Bin

2010-01-01

Viola baoshanensis is one of the most rare cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulators, however, it is hard to propagate. Micropropagation has been applied to solve the problems with propagation of a few heavy metal hyperaccumulators. Therefore there is a high likelihood that micropropagation may offer a suitable method for large-scale propagation of V. baoshanensis To test this hypothesis, three types of explants were used for shoot regeneration and various combinations of four plant growth regulators were used to improve shoot regeneration efficiency from leaflet of V. baoshanensis. Best shoot regeneration efficiency was obtained by incubating leaflet in a 1/2 MS medium supplemented with 2.5 oM BA + 2.5 microM IBA, therein shoot regeneration rate was 70.9% and the number of shoots formation per explant was 22.4. Rooting was achieved from almost all regenerated shoot growing on 1/2 MS medium without plant growth regulator. Micropropagated seedlings were acclimatized under greenhouse conditions and 95% of them survived and showed no visible morphological variation compared to their donor plant. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between regenerated and seed-germinated V. baoshanensis in Cd tolerance and accumulation. These results suggested that an efficient and rapid micropropogation system was successfully developed for V. baoshanensis.

Energy Efficient Medium Access Control Protocol for Clustered Wireless Sensor Networks with Adaptive Cross-Layer Scheduling.

PubMed

Sefuba, Maria; Walingo, Tom; Takawira, Fambirai

2015-09-18

This paper presents an Energy Efficient Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol for clustered wireless sensor networks that aims to improve energy efficiency and delay performance. The proposed protocol employs an adaptive cross-layer intra-cluster scheduling and an inter-cluster relay selection diversity. The scheduling is based on available data packets and remaining energy level of the source node (SN). This helps to minimize idle listening on nodes without data to transmit as well as reducing control packet overhead. The relay selection diversity is carried out between clusters, by the cluster head (CH), and the base station (BS). The diversity helps to improve network reliability and prolong the network lifetime. Relay selection is determined based on the communication distance, the remaining energy and the channel quality indicator (CQI) for the relay cluster head (RCH). An analytical framework for energy consumption and transmission delay for the proposed MAC protocol is presented in this work. The performance of the proposed MAC protocol is evaluated based on transmission delay, energy consumption, and network lifetime. The results obtained indicate that the proposed MAC protocol provides improved performance than traditional cluster based MAC protocols.

Enhancement of Feedback Efficiency by Active Galactic Nucleus Outflows via the Magnetic Tension Force in the Inhomogeneous Interstellar Medium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Asahina, Yuta; Ohsuga, Ken; Nomura, Mariko, E-mail: asahina@cfca.jp

By performing three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics simulations of subrelativistic jets and disk winds propagating into the magnetized inhomogeneous interstellar medium (ISM), we investigate the magnetic effects on the active galactic nucleus feedback. Our simulations reveal that the magnetic tension force promotes the acceleration of the dense gas clouds, since the magnetic field lines, which are initially straight, bend around the gas clouds. In the jet models, the velocity dispersion of the clouds increases with an increase in the initial magnetic fields. The increment of the kinetic energy of the clouds is proportional to the initial magnetic fields, implying that the magnetic tensionmore » force increases the energy conversion efficiency from the jet to the gas clouds. Through simulations of the mildly collimated disk wind and the funnel-shaped disk wind, we confirm that such an enhancement of the energy conversion efficiency via the magnetic fields appears even if the energy is injected via the disk winds. The enhancement of the acceleration of the dense part of the magnetized ISM via the magnetic tension force will occur wherever the magnetized inhomogeneous matter is blown away.« less

A novel direct-fired porous-medium boiler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasartkaew, Boonrit

2018-01-01

Nowadays, power and heat generation systems pay an important role in all economic sectors. These systems are mainly based on combustion reaction and operated under the second law of thermodynamics. A conventional boilers, a main component of heat and power generators, have thermal efficiency in the range of 70 to 85%, mainly owing to they have flue gas heat loss. This paper proposes a novel type of boiler, called a Direct-fired Porous-medium Boiler (DPB). Due to being operated without flue gas heat loss, its thermal efficiency cloud be approximately close to 100%. The steam produced from the proposed boiler; however, is not pure water steam. It is the composite gases of steam and combustion-product-gases. This paper aims at presenting the working concept and reporting the experimental results on the performance of the proposed boiler. The experiments of various operating parameters were performed and collected data were used for the performance analysis. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed boiler can be operated as well as the conceptual design and then it is promising. It can be possibly further developed to be a high efficiency boiler by means of reducing or suppressing the surface heat loss with better insulator and/or refractory lined.

A new high-frequency Agrobacterium-mediated transformation technique for Sesamum indicum L. using de-embryonated cotyledon as explant.

PubMed

Chowdhury, Supriyo; Basu, Arpita; Kundu, Surekha

2014-09-01

In spite of the economic importance of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and the recent availability of its genome sequence, a high-frequency transformation protocol is still not available. The only two existing Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocols that are available have poor transformation efficiencies of less than 2%. In the present study, we report a high-frequency, simple, and reproducible transformation protocol for sesame. Transformation was done using de-embryonated cotyledons via somatic embryogenic stages. All the critical parameters of transformation, like incubation period of explants in pre-regeneration medium prior to infection by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, cocultivation period, concentrations of acetosyringone in cocultivation medium, kanamycin concentration, and concentration of plant hormones, including 6-benzylaminopurine, have been optimized. This protocol is superior to the two existing protocols in its high regeneration and transformation efficiencies. The transformed sesame lines have been tested by PCR, RT-PCR for neomycin phosphotransferase II gene expression, and β-glucuronidase (GUS) assay. The regeneration frequency and transformation efficiency are 57.33 and 42.66%, respectively. T0 and T1 generation transgenic plants were analyzed, and several T1 plants homozygous for the transgenes were obtained.

Efficient biodegradation of cyanide and ferrocyanide by Na-alginate beads immobilized with fungal cells of Trichoderma koningii.

PubMed

Zhou, Xiaoying; Liu, Lixing; Chen, Yunpeng; Xu, Shufa; Chen, Jie

2007-09-01

Cyanide or metal cyanide contaminations have become serious environmental and food-health problems. A fungal mutant of Trichoderma koningii, TkA8, constructed by restriction enzyme-mediated integration, has been verified to have a high cyanide degradation ability in our previous study. In this study, the mutant cells were entrapped in sodium-alginate (Na-alginate) immobilization beads to degrade cyanide and ferrocyanide in a liquid mineral medium. The results showed that the fungus in immobilization beads consisting of 3% Na-alginate and 3% CaCl2 could degrade cyanide more efficiently than a nonimmobilized fungal culture. For maximum degradation efficiency, the optimal ratio of Na-alginate and wet fungal biomass was 20:1 (m/m) and the initial pH was 6.5. In comparison, cell immobilization took at least 3 and 8 days earlier, respectively, to completely degrade cyanide and ferrocyanide. In addition, we showed that the immobilized beads could be easily recovered from the medium and reused for up to 5 batches without significant losses of fungal remediation abilities. The results of this study provide a promising alternative method for the large-scale remediation of soil or water systems from cyanide contamination.

Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Electrolytes: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Prospective Solutions.

PubMed

Mahmood, Nasir; Yao, Yunduo; Zhang, Jing-Wen; Pan, Lun; Zhang, Xiangwen; Zou, Ji-Jun

2018-02-01

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline medium is currently a point of focus for sustainable development of hydrogen as an alternative clean fuel for various energy systems, but suffers from sluggish reaction kinetics due to additional water dissociation step. So, the state-of-the-art catalysts performing well in acidic media lose considerable catalytic performance in alkaline media. This review summarizes the recent developments to overcome the kinetics issues of alkaline HER, synthesis of materials with modified morphologies, and electronic structures to tune the active sites and their applications as efficient catalysts for HER. It first explains the fundamentals and electrochemistry of HER and then outlines the requirements for an efficient and stable catalyst in alkaline medium. The challenges with alkaline HER and limitation with the electrocatalysts along with prospective solutions are then highlighted. It further describes the synthesis methods of advanced nanostructures based on carbon, noble, and inexpensive metals and their heterogeneous structures. These heterogeneous structures provide some ideal systems for analyzing the role of structure and synergy on alkaline HER catalysis. At the end, it provides the concluding remarks and future perspectives that can be helpful for tuning the catalysts active-sites with improved electrochemical efficiencies in future.

Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Electrolytes: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Prospective Solutions

PubMed Central

Mahmood, Nasir; Yao, Yunduo; Zhang, Jing‐Wen; Pan, Lun; Zhang, Xiangwen

2017-01-01

Abstract Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline medium is currently a point of focus for sustainable development of hydrogen as an alternative clean fuel for various energy systems, but suffers from sluggish reaction kinetics due to additional water dissociation step. So, the state‐of‐the‐art catalysts performing well in acidic media lose considerable catalytic performance in alkaline media. This review summarizes the recent developments to overcome the kinetics issues of alkaline HER, synthesis of materials with modified morphologies, and electronic structures to tune the active sites and their applications as efficient catalysts for HER. It first explains the fundamentals and electrochemistry of HER and then outlines the requirements for an efficient and stable catalyst in alkaline medium. The challenges with alkaline HER and limitation with the electrocatalysts along with prospective solutions are then highlighted. It further describes the synthesis methods of advanced nanostructures based on carbon, noble, and inexpensive metals and their heterogeneous structures. These heterogeneous structures provide some ideal systems for analyzing the role of structure and synergy on alkaline HER catalysis. At the end, it provides the concluding remarks and future perspectives that can be helpful for tuning the catalysts active‐sites with improved electrochemical efficiencies in future. PMID:29610722

Photophysical properties, photodegradation characteristics, and lasing action for coumarin dye C540A in polymeric media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Guilford, II; Huang, Zhennian; Pacheco, Dennis P., Jr.; Russell, Jeffrey A.

2004-07-01

Tunable solid-state dye lasers operating in the blue-green spectral region are attractive for a variety of applications. An important consideration in assessing the viability of this technology is the service life of the gain medium, which is presently limited by dye photodegradation. In this study, solid polymeric samples consisting of the coumarin dye C540A in modified PMMA were subjected to controlled photodegradation tests. The excitation laser was a flashlamp-pumped dye laser operating at 440 nm with a pulse duration of 1 μs. A complementary set of data was obtained for dye in solution phase for comparison purposes. Photophysical properties of C540A in water solution of polymethacrylic acid (PMAA) have been investigated with a view to assess the suitability of the sequestering polymer (PMAA) as an effective additive to facilitate use of a water medium for highly efficient blue-green dye lasers. Lasing action of C540A in aqueous PMAA has been realized using flashlamp-pumped laser system, yielding excellent laser efficiencies superior to that achieved in ethanolic solutions with the same dye. Laser characterization of dye in media included measurement of laser threshold, slope efficiency, pulse duration and output wavelength.

Characterization and optimization of cathodic conditions for H2O2 synthesis in microbial electrochemical cells.

PubMed

Sim, Junyoung; An, Junyeong; Elbeshbishy, Elsayed; Ryu, Hodon; Lee, Hyung-Sool

2015-11-01

Cathode potential and O2 supply methods were investigated to improve H2O2 synthesis in an electrochemical cell, and optimal cathode conditions were applied for microbial electrochemical cells (MECs). Using aqueous O2 for the cathode significantly improved current density, but H2O2 conversion efficiency was negligible at 0.3-12%. Current density decreased for passive O2 diffusion to the cathode, but H2O2 conversion efficiency increased by 65%. An MEC equipped with a gas diffusion cathode was operated with acetate medium and domestic wastewater, which presented relatively high H2O2 conversion efficiency from 36% to 47%, although cathode overpotential was fluctuated. Due to different current densities, the maximum H2O2 production rate was 141 mg H2O2/L-h in the MEC fed with acetate medium, but it became low at 6 mg H2O2/L-h in the MEC fed with the wastewater. Our study clearly indicates that improving anodic current density and mitigating membrane fouling would be key parameters for large-scale H2O2-MECs. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Energy Efficient Medium Access Control Protocol for Clustered Wireless Sensor Networks with Adaptive Cross-Layer Scheduling

PubMed Central

Sefuba, Maria; Walingo, Tom; Takawira, Fambirai

2015-01-01

This paper presents an Energy Efficient Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol for clustered wireless sensor networks that aims to improve energy efficiency and delay performance. The proposed protocol employs an adaptive cross-layer intra-cluster scheduling and an inter-cluster relay selection diversity. The scheduling is based on available data packets and remaining energy level of the source node (SN). This helps to minimize idle listening on nodes without data to transmit as well as reducing control packet overhead. The relay selection diversity is carried out between clusters, by the cluster head (CH), and the base station (BS). The diversity helps to improve network reliability and prolong the network lifetime. Relay selection is determined based on the communication distance, the remaining energy and the channel quality indicator (CQI) for the relay cluster head (RCH). An analytical framework for energy consumption and transmission delay for the proposed MAC protocol is presented in this work. The performance of the proposed MAC protocol is evaluated based on transmission delay, energy consumption, and network lifetime. The results obtained indicate that the proposed MAC protocol provides improved performance than traditional cluster based MAC protocols. PMID:26393608

Successful Business Intelligence System for SME: An Analytical Study in Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qushem, Umar Bin; Zeki, Akram M.; Abubakar, Adamu

2017-08-01

While many larger organizations is adhering to a new level of competence by adoption of advanced Business Intelligence (BI) systems, in the same time there are other small-medium companies who are left behind in terms of updating them for better success in the industry. Thus the aim of the research is to identify Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) specific determinants for Business Intelligence efficiency which will lead those organizations a better understanding of development and testing of BI framework in the business world. In this study, it is therefore considered extensive literature reviews to measure the efficiently factors and proposed a holistic conceptual framework. In the same time, feedbacks of the Business Intelligent experts were taken into consideration to provide new insights for SME companies to ensure where to focus and which type of sector is crucial for an SME organization in order to be successful in parallel with Big organizations. Thus in this regard, Quantitative Survey research method is used and Statistical analysis were used for analyzing the data. The results revealed that SME Companies should focus on Environmental factor (EF) as it is the most identified factor lead BI efficiency in Business Organization.

Efficient and genotype-independent Agrobacterium--mediated tomato transformation.

PubMed

Park, Sung Hun; Morris, Jay L; Park, Jung Eun; Hirschi, Kendal D; Smith, Roberta H

2003-10-01

An efficient method to transform five cultivars of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), Micro-Tom, Red Cherry, Rubion, Piedmont, and E6203 is reported. A comparison was made of leaf, cotyledon, and hypocotyl explants on 7 different regeneration media without Agrobacterium tumefaciens cocultivation and on 11 different media with cocultivation. Although all cultivars and explants formed callus and regenerated on the initial 7 media, cocultivation with A. tumefaciens significantly reduced the callus induction and regeneration. From these experiments, a transformation methodology using either hypocotyls or cotyledons cultured for one day on BA 1 mgL-1, NAA 0.1 mgL-1 and 3 days cocultivation with the Agrobacterium on this same medium followed by a transfer to a medium with zeatin 2 mgL-1 and IAA 0.1 mgL-1 for 4-6 weeks resulted in a greater than 20% transformation frequency for all five cultivars tested. In this transformation method, no feeder layers of tobacco, petunia or tomato suspension cultures were used, and the subculture media was minimal. Stable integration and transmission of the transgene in T1 generation plants were confirmed by Southern blot analysis. This procedure represents a simple, efficient and general means of transforming tomato.

Privatization of solid waste collection services: Lessons from Gaborone

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bolaane, Benjamin, E-mail: bolaaneb@mopipi.ub.bw; Isaac, Emmanuel, E-mail: eisaac300@gmail.com

Highlights: • We compared efficiency and effectiveness of waste collection by the public and private sector. • Public sector performs better than private sector in some areas and vice versa. • Outsourcing waste collection in developing countries is hindered by limited capacity on contractual issues. • Outsourcing collection in developing countries is hampered by inadequate waste information. • There is need to build capacity in the public sector of developing countries to support outsourcing. - Abstract: Formal privatization of solid waste collection activities has often been flagged as a suitable intervention for some of the challenges of solid waste managementmore » experienced by developing countries. Proponents of outsourcing collection to the private sector argue that in contrast to the public sector, it is more effective and efficient in delivering services. This essay is a comparative case study of efficiency and effectiveness attributes between the public and the formal private sector, in relation to the collection of commercial waste in Gaborone. The paper is based on analysis of secondary data and key informant interviews. It was found that while, the private sector performed comparatively well in most of the chosen indicators of efficiency and effectiveness, the public sector also had areas where it had a competitive advantage. For instance, the private sector used the collection crew more efficiently, while the public sector was found to have a more reliable workforce. The study recommends that, while formal private sector participation in waste collection has some positive effects in terms of quality of service rendered, in most developing countries, it has to be enhanced by building sufficient capacity within the public sector on information about services contracted out and evaluation of performance criteria within the contracting process.« less

Assessing solar energy and water use efficiencies in winter wheat

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Asrar, G.; Hipps, L. E.; Kanemasu, E. T.

1982-01-01

The water use and solar energy conversion efficiencies of two cultivars of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., vars, Centurk and Newton) planted at three densities, were examined during a growing season. Water use, based on soil moisture depletion, was the lowest under the light, and the highest under the heavy planting densities of both cultivars. Water use efficiency of medium and heavy planting densities were greater than the light planting densities in both cultivars. The canopy radiation extinction coefficients of both cultivars increased with increases in planting density. Efficiency of operation interception of photosynthetically active radiation by both cultivars improved from the time of jointing until anthesis, and then decreased during senescence. The efficiency of the conversion of intercepted radiation to dry matter (biochemical efficiency) decreased throughout the growing season both cultivars. The interception, biochemical, and photosynthetic efficiencies improved as planting density increased.

An Efficient Intergeneric Conjugation of DNA from Escherichia coli to Mycelia of the Lincomycin-Producer Streptomyces lincolnensis

PubMed Central

Du, Lei; Liu, Rui-Hua; Ying, Li; Zhao, Guang-Rong

2012-01-01

Streptomyces lincolnensis is a producer of lincomycin, which is a lincosamide antibiotic for the treatment of infective diseases caused by Gram-positive bacteria. S. lincolnensis is refractory to introducing plasmid DNA into cells because of resistance of foreign DNAs and poor sporulation. In this study, a simple and efficient method of transferring plasmids into S. lincolnensis through the intergeneric Escherichia coli-mycelia conjugation was established and optimized for the first time. The recipient mycelia of S. lincolnensis were prepared in liquid SM medium containing 10.3% sucrose for three days. The dispersed mycelia were conjugated with competent E. coli donor cells. The exconjugants were regenerated efficiently on solid mannitol soya flour (MS) medium containing 20 mM MgCl2. The average conjugation frequency was observed at 1.1 × 10−4 per input donor cell and validated functionally by transferring two types of vectors containing lincomycin resistance genes lmrA, lmrB and lmrC into S. lincolnensis mycelia. The data of fermentation in shaking flasks showed the lincomycin yield of the exconjugants increased by 52.9% for the multiple copy vector and 38.3% for the integrative one, compared with the parental strain. The efficient and convenient method of intergeneric E. coli-mycelia conjugation in this study provides a promising procedure to introduce plasmid DNA into other refractory streptomycetes. PMID:22606009

The short- to medium-term predictive accuracy of static and dynamic risk assessment measures in a secure forensic hospital.

PubMed

Chu, Chi Meng; Thomas, Stuart D M; Ogloff, James R P; Daffern, Michael

2013-04-01

Although violence risk assessment knowledge and practice has advanced over the past few decades, it remains practically difficult to decide which measures clinicians should use to assess and make decisions about the violence potential of individuals on an ongoing basis, particularly in the short to medium term. Within this context, this study sought to compare the predictive accuracy of dynamic risk assessment measures for violence with static risk assessment measures over the short term (up to 1 month) and medium term (up to 6 months) in a forensic psychiatric inpatient setting. Results showed that dynamic measures were generally more accurate than static measures for short- to medium-term predictions of inpatient aggression. These findings highlight the necessity of using risk assessment measures that are sensitive to important clinical risk state variables to improve the short- to medium-term prediction of aggression within the forensic inpatient setting. Such knowledge can assist with the development of more accurate and efficient risk assessment procedures, including the selection of appropriate risk assessment instruments to manage and prevent the violence of offenders with mental illnesses during inpatient treatment.